MP George Eustice has backed a bid to build a brand new leisure centre at Carn Brea, rather than use developers cash to refurbish the facility.

A decision on the future of the leisure centre has yet to be made, with a Cornwall Council proposal to refurbish the leisure centre using some of the cash from the sale of the running track and car parks.

Calling the proposals to sell off land an "opportunity rather than a threat", Mr Eustice, MP for the Camborne/Redruth area, said there is a chance to "secure millions of pounds of new investment to complete the transformation of the Pool area with plans for a new retail centre that could attract destination names such as Next and M&S".

He said: "It would add momentum to regeneration of Camborne, Pool and Redruth which is now taking shape."

"We must seize the chance to build a brand new leisure centre rather than simply refurbish the existing one. The current building has seen better days and needs a new roof and the swimming pool is once again in need of investment.

"Opportunities to deliver a full rebuild of a new leisure centre don’t come around very often so we must rigourously test the current assumption that a refurbishment is all that can be afforded. The proceeds of any land sale in Camborne and Redruth ought to be reinvested in the area.

"We need to make sure that a new athletics track is built to replace the existing one. The track at Carn Brea is the only eight lane track in Cornwall and is the most used. Cornwall Athletics Club is going from strength to strength and new clubs like Carn Runners and Hayle Runners are also growing and make regular use of the track. I favour the idea of doing something jointly with Camborne Academy and Camborne Rugby Club which might benefit all parties."

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