The £20 million Aquatic Centre, which opened just three months ago and is already attracting more than 1500 people a day, now faces a final round of public voting beginning for the overall title of Best Sports Project.

Winners are announced on a special BBC 1 Awards show, broadcast on Saturday August 30. The programme also features footage of the Aquatic Centre and interviews with users.

Cllr Mel Speding, Sunderland City Council Cabinet Member said: "The Aquatic Centre has proved hugely popular since it opened in April and we're delighted that so many people have supported the public vote to help it win through to the finals.

"The very fact that it attracts more than 1500 people a day, from mums with toddlers learning to swim to heart surgery patients using it as part of the road back to fitness, is testament to the fact that it offers something for everyone.

"To win the title of best sports project would be a massive boost not only for the Aquatic Centre and everyone who uses it but Sunderland and the North East. I would urge everyone to continue to give us their support and to vote for it."

Following the Aquatic Centre's success in the first round of the awards, the voting clock is turned back to 0 and voting begins again.

Voting couldn't be simpler, online at http://www.lotterygoodcauses.org.uk/awards/shortlist.cfm?id_category=6 or via the dedicated phone number on 0845 386 3213.

The National Lottery Awards are held annually to find the UK's favourite Lottery-funded projects.

Now in their fifth year, the Awards aim to recognise the incredible difference that Lottery-funded projects - both large and small - have made to people, places and communities across the UK.

The Sunderland Aquatic Centre was developed by Sunderland City Council with the help of Lottery funding, on land next to the Stadium of Light. It is already earmarked as a potential training camp for the 2012 Olympics and Paralympics.

It is the first 50 metre pool in the North East and the only one between Leeds and Edinburgh.

The Sunderland Aquatic Centre houses a competition-sized swimming pool, a 25m diving pool and a two storey, state-of-the-art Wellness Centre.

It is the most environmentally friendly pool in the country – filtering and recycling every single drop of water which falls on its roof for re-use in the pool.

With a 10-lane 50-metre main pool, a 25-metre diving pool and seating for 500 spectators the Sunderland Aquatic Centre has the ability to cater for high profile national and regional swimming competitions.

In addition its moveable floors, which can vary the water depth from anywhere between 0 to 2 metres in the main pool and 0 to 4 metres in the diving pool, make it as suitable for toddlers learning to swim as talented swimmers.

And the clever design of the building is such that the 50 metre main pool also has a moveable boom, which allows the pool to be divided up to cater for everything from aqua-fit and family fun with inflatables to budding Olympians - all at the same time.

Sunderland Aquatic Centre has been funded by Sunderland City Council, Sport England, European Regional Development Fund, One NorthEast, TyneWear Partnership, Sunderland arc and the Neighbourhood Renewal Fund.

Back to news archive main page

top

last updated 22/07/08