Air conditioning fault at Morpeth Sports and Leisure Centre still not fixed despite issue being raised months ago

The facility on Gas House Lane, which is run by Places Leisure, is fairly new having opened in April 2023. It has apologised for the issue and says it should be fixed by the end of May.

One of its gym users, Amanda Patterson, told the Gazette that there have been problems with the system for the entire complex since Christmas and the air conditioning in the spin studio has not worked properly for the best part of a year – with it already getting “unbearably hot if the class is full”.

The 53-year-old, who has been a member of the centre for 18 months, added: “I dread to think what that room will feel like when the weather warms up.

“Members are buying small, portable fans to fix to their bikes. Even the music shuts off sometimes because the room gets too hot for the stereo system to function.

“More than 50 years ago, people figured out a way to adapt an air filtration system on board a stricken Apollo spacecraft using just paper bags, duct tape, cardboard and rubber tubing.

“Fast forward to 2026, and a nearly new, multi-million pound leisure centre can't fix its modern air con within six months. I just don't understand why it is taking so long.”

The Morpeth Sports and Leisure Centre also includes a six-lane swimming pool with spectator gallery, a learner pool, spa facilities, a four-court sports hall and two fitness studios.

A Places Leisure spokesperson said: “Morpeth Sports and Leisure Centre is currently experiencing an issue with its air conditioning system.

“A specialist part is on order to fix the problem, but due to lead times it will unfortunately take several weeks to arrive. We expect the system to be fully operational again by the end of May.”

“We apologise for any inconvenience and, in the meantime, have installed additional cooling units throughout the building to help manage temperatures.”