A DEVELOPMENT which caused controversy and protest from budding sporting stars across Waltham Forest has reached a milestone, this week.

The council was hit with fierce objection last year when it approved plans from leisure provider GLL to build one of the biggest centres in London in Chingford Road, Walthamstow.

After an initial pause on plans over concerns sport would be reduced by getting rid of the 5m diving board, councillors agreed the designs for the former Pool and Track, fearing the money may be lost if not.

This week, the frame for the newly titled Waltham Forest Leisure Centre was completed.

Council Leader Chris Robbins and Cllr Ahsan Khan, cabinet member for health and wellbeing marked the occasion by screwing the final bolt into the huge steel structure.

Scheduled to open in autumn 2016, the modern, two-storey building, which has a footprint measuring 5,500m2, will be the borough’s premier state-of-the art sport, health and fitness facility.

It will boast a range of facilities including a 25m, eight-lane competition pool, teaching pool, four-court sports hall, an activity room/studio and a soft play area for children.

But will not feature a 5m diving board because GLL said it would cost too much.

There will be an extreme sports zone with a climbing wall, dance studios, a new gym and changing facilities and both wet and dry health and wellbeing spa areas.

Cllr Khan said: “Waltham Forest Leisure Centre promises to be the jewel in the crown of the Council’s ambitious multi-million pound leisure centre investment programme.

“Once finished, it will be a landmark leisure venue for residents and visitors to the borough alike – rivalling the biggest and best leisure centres in London.

“And most importantly, we hope the many different facilities on offer will draw in people of all ages and of all levels of fitness – providing a perfect environment for them to get active, healthy and happy.”

Based on the increased number of visitors that other re-developed leisure centres have seen, the council believes the new Waltham Forest Leisure Centre could see an extra 175,000 visits per year.

While the new leisure facility is being built, the running track remains open.

The council has invested millions in leisure centre upgrades in Chingford, Leyton, Leytonstone and Walthamstow.

For more information visit www.walthamforest.gov.uk/sports-facilities.