A detailed planning application for the new Manor Park Leisure Centre was submitted in January 2010 by East Northamptonshire Council.
The proposed development aims to provide residents with access to wet and dry leisure facilities in one purpose built building.
The modern, energy efficient leisure centre is to be located at Manor Park and represents a £13m investment in the area’s sports, fitness and leisure facilities. It will provide a range of facilities including a 6-lane 25-metre swimming pool and a 6-court sports hall that provides space for numerous sports including badminton, gymnastics, hockey, football, tennis and volleyball
It is intended that the new leisure centre will replace existing facilities at the Splash Leisure Pool in Station Road and Pemberton Centre in H.E. Bates Way, which are in need of upgrading.
As a result, two key sites will be made available to kickstart the regeneration and development of Rushden and stimulate opportunities for major private sector investment.
East Northamptonshire Council is providing up to £11m in funding for the project and an additional £2m has been secured by North Northants Development Company from the Government’s Growth Fund. £800,000 has also been provided by the East Midlands Development Agency (emda) through Northamptonshire Enterprise Ltd.