Step forward in project to build £13m leisure centre - work set to start before Christmas
A firm has been appointed to build a new £13m swimming and fitness centre.
Shropshire Council said that Alliance Leisure would be delivering the centre in Whitchurch.
The leisure developer has been appointed to the project, working through the UK Leisure Framework.
Shropshire Council said that supporting Alliance will be Pellikaan as lead contractor, architects Roberts Limbrick, with Axiom responsible for project management.
Funded by Shropshire Council the centre will include a six-lane 25m pool, 41-station fitness suite and café on the ground floor, with multi-function rooms on the first floor, which can be used for classes, clubs, events and more.
Robert Macey, Shropshire Council Cabinet member for culture and digital, said: “I am confident that the project team, led by leisure development experts Alliance Leisure, will deliver a first-class leisure centre for Whitchurch. Their combined experience and expertise will ensure we provide residents with the health and wellbeing facilities they want and need, both now and in the future.”
Julia Goddard, senior business development manager, Alliance Leisure, added: “Working with the council and our supplier partners through the UK Leisure Framework, we will deliver an efficient leisure facility built in response to the specific needs of the community. An active community is a happy, prosperous community and this is exactly the outcome we intend to deliver.”
Work is due to begin before Christmas to demolish the existing building with the site cleared ahead of construction starting early in 2024.
It is anticipated the new centre will open in mid-2025 under the management of the Shropshire Community Leisure Trust and Serco, which currently operates Shrewsbury Sports Village, The Quarry swimming and fitness centre and Market Drayton and Oswestry Leisure Centres on behalf of Shropshire Council.
The new build will re-instate much needed leisure facilities in Whitchurch which has been without a pool since it closed during the pandemic when ongoing maintenance issues deemed it unfit for purpose.
