By Martin Walker
The exciting new Soccer Factory will bring a state-of-the-art multi-purpose sports facility to Newton Aycliffe and up to 30 new jobs, according to its creator.
The £1.7m development, in the old Thirslington Building just off Durham Way South, is the brainchild of local entrepreneur Dan Lewis (pictured), who spent seven years as Deputy Director of Sport at the University of Durham until 2011.
He’s hoping to realise his dream of opening the new 85,000 sq ft Soccer Factory by September/October this year.
“We’re just finalising the exact breakdown of the finances and we’re ready to go,” said the 34-year-old.
“We’ve got the contractors lined up, we’ve been working closely with Richardson Construction in Darlington and the architect Jeff Blackwell, so we’re hopefully just a couple of weeks away from knocking the first wall down and starting work.”
Once completed, the impressive Soccer Factory will include:
● Seven 3G five-a-side courts
● Fully-equipped dance studio and fitness suite
● State-of-the-art strength and conditioning area
● Physiotherapy clinic
● Bar/cafe and function room
● Teaching and meeting spaces
● Offices
“It’s a big venture and hopefully something the people of the town and surrounding areas will buy into,” added Mr Lewis.
“We’re looking at up to 30 new jobs across a range of different sectors, from football and fitness, to bar and catering staff, so during such a negative time hopefully this will be a boost to the local economy.
“We’ll hopefully be open for business by the back end of the summer and early autumn, around September/ October time.”
The Soccer Factory is the latest exciting development for Newton Aycliffe, with the long-awaited Hitachi contract expected to be officially rubber-stamped within weeks, around the same time work is expected to start on the new Aldi supermarket in the town centre.
There are also plans for a new £32m makeover of the nearby Woodham Golf Club, incorporating a new hotel and executive housing, while several other developments are in the pipeline for the town centre once Aldi is completed.
Sanderson Weatherall acted as agents, on behalf of Buckrow Asset Management, in the Soccer Factory’s leasing of the old Thrislington building.
Go to our Video Vault to see an interview with Mr Lewis inside the Soccer Factory building