THE Newport Centre - which has played host to stars including Princess Diana, David Bowie, Ed Sheeran and, of course, our very own Goldie Lookin Chain - is finally closing its doors this weekend.
The centre, which opened in 1985, is home to a multi-purpose sports hall, gym, and swimming pool, and has been the site of a number of legendary music events, will close for good at 8pm on Sunday, March 26.
The building is due to be knocked down and replaced with a new £19.7 million leisure, health and wellbeing centre on Usk Way.
Outside the Newport Centre. Picture: @maxparkerphoto
The demolition means the city will lose its main venue to host mid-sized gigs. Over the past 30 years the centre has hosted hundreds of big-name acts, with a visit by David Bowie a particular highlight.
Princess Diana also visited the centre in 1987.
Outline planning for the new leisure centre was granted last October, but at the time the council noted there had been concern from some local residents that the plans “do not allow for any form of live music concerns to take place at the new facility”.
Newport Live has been asked if any jobs will be lost as a result of the building's closure, but had not responded as the Argus went to press.
The swimming pool closed at the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic and is now permanently closed. The remainder of the centre has remained open for a range of sporting and leisure activities.
David Bowie playing at the Newport Centre. Picture: Andy Sherwill
Newport Live has confirmed an interim site opposite Newport Railway Station next to Admiral House in Cambrian Centre, Cambrian Road - also known as Station Quarter.
The centre will open on April 1 - complete with "a wide variety of new and familiar cardiovascular and functional training equipment".
There will also be a free weights area, a group exercise area for high and low-intensity classes and indoor cycling group.
Aerial shot of the centre. Picture: @maxparkerphoto
The station will open Monday to Friday 6am to 10pm and Saturday and Sunday 8am to 8pm.
Steve Ward, chief executive of Newport Live said: “We know that leaving Newport Centre will be very difficult for many customers and our colleagues because of the memories that it evokes.
"Newport Centre has had a varied and interesting history, from helping to positively contribute to the well-being of people of all ages to being a hugely popular music venue, hosting some of the world’s biggest artists including Elton John, David Bowie and Ed Sheeran.”
Queuing up for Genesis tickets outside Newport Centre in 1992
Plans for a new “state-of-the-art” leisure centre on Usk Way were approved in November 2021. According to the report presented to the committee, this unlocks the current leisure centre site for new uses.
The report stated: “The building, architecturally, is dated and no longer contributes positively to the character of the surrounding area.”
Cllr Malcolm Linton said the development was an “absolutely fantastic opportunity”.
An artist's impression of what the new leisure centre will look like
He added: “It brings a more modern building into the centre. The building at the moment is outdated and would cost too much to refurbish.”
The new building is expected to have “prominent frontages” that will enhance the street scene.
Natural Resources Wales (NRW) objected to the application due to “inadequate information” in relation to flooding.
The council report states that there’s a 0.5 per cent flood risk according to the Flood Map for Planning (FMfP).
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel