Work to demolish old Queen's Park Sports Centre to start in January

Chesterfield Borough Council has announced work to demolish the old Queen’s Park Sports Centre on Boythorpe Road is to start in January.

In October, the authority launched a public consultation to find out what residents would like to eventually see happen with the site.

Its preferred option is for a 3G all-weather pitch which can be used for football, hockey, rugby and athletics training and recreational use.

According to the consultation results, a total of 384 respondents (68.9 per cent) indicated that they agreed with the council's preferred option of a 3G all-weather pitch.

The consultation results show that the three most common alternatives suggested were:

• Space for offices, events, exhibitions etc

• An ice rink

• A splash park

Many residents have contacted the Derbyshire Times calling for an ice rink at the location.

One member of the public told the council’s consultation: “I would like to see an ice rink in Chesterfield.

“I am sure that it would be financially viable.

“Ice Sheffield is always busy from 6am until late with people traveling long distances to use the facility.”

Another said: “An ice rink is what the younger generation of Chesterfield needs.”

And another added: “As a parent of two boys I strongly feel that an ice rink is the best way forward.”

According to the consultation documents, council chiefs want the future use to generate income for the authority in light of budget cuts.

Councillor Amanda Serjeant, cabinet member for town centre and visitor economy, said: “The former sports centre sits next to the grade two star listed Queen’s Park so it is important that what goes there is in keeping with that heritage site and the strict planning rules that come with it.

“In an era of council budget cuts whatever goes on the site also needs to generate an income rather than cost taxpayers more money.”

She added: “At this stage no decisions have been taken.”

A council spokesman added: “Our intention is to work broadly within the current ‘footprint’ of the old sports centre site, keeping in place the majority of the two car parks to the north and south of the site.”

The Queen’s Park Sports Centre has stood empty since the end of last year when it closed to make way for a new £11.25million sports centre on the Queen’s Park Annexe site.