NEWS
New Leisure Centre Marks Sixth Successful Alliance Leisure Project With Local Council
Plans For New Peterborough Pool Take A Giant Leap Forward Plans for a new leisure centre and swimming pool in Peterborough have taken a giant leap forward following an announcement in November that Government will be contributing £20m. The announcement was made by Chancellor of the Exchequer, the Rt Hon Rachel Reeves MP, that a bid for funding towards the much-needed development has been approved from the new £240m Growth Mission Fund to support local economic growth, subject to the approval of a full business case. Council Leader, Councillor Shabina Qayyum, said: “I am so delighted at the news that Government will be putting £20m into a much-needed new leisure centre and swimming pool for Peterborough. “This significant investment means it is full steam ahead with our plans and we will progress at
pace to deliver a new facility as quickly as possible. “A new swimming pool will benefit residents of all ages and generations to come, supporting our younger residents to learn how to swim and will promote health and wellbeing for residents of all ages. At a Cabinet meeting in October, members approved plans for a new eight lane 25 metre swimming pool and fitness centre as their preferred option, subject to funding being secured. It followed a feasibility study into options for a replacement facility and regular meetings between council officers and key stakeholders in the project, including both city MPs, the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority (CPCA), ARU Peterborough, City of Peterborough Swimming Club, Friends of the Lido and Living Sport.
The new Cath Thom Leisure Centre at Wilson Sports Village has opened to the public, the latest project successfully delivered by Alliance Leisure for Hyndburn Borough Council in Lancashire. Funded by the Council and Sport England, the circa £13m scheme sets a new benchmark for delivering cost-effective, inclusive and sustainable facilities tailored to the needs of the local community. The project faced a setback following the collapse of the original contractor, ISG, which went into administration in September 2024. Works restarted in January 2025 after the appointment of Universal Civils and Build under the UK Leisure Framework, allowing the development to complete in line with the original scope, specification and quality standards. Designed by Pozzoni, the facility is one of the key environmentally responsible buildings in the borough, achieving an impressive
A-rated energy efficiency thanks to high-performance construction materials, innovative design features and rigorous quality controls. The centre’s fossil fuelfree heating, cooling and hot water systems are powered by energy-efficient technologies and supported by solar panels, dramatically reducing the building’s carbon footprint. These measures reduce carbon emissions and running costs, while placing the centre on the cusp of an A+ rating, supporting the Council’s ambition to achieve net-zero carbon activities by 2030. At the heart of the leisure centre is a 25m swimming pool that is equipped with the Poolpod 3.0 – a platform lift system offering a safe, dignified and independent entry experience.
From Sand To Smart: The Glass Pearl Upgrade Across the UK and internationally, commercial swim schools and aquatic operators rely on Waterco’s Glass Pearl filter media to achieve exceptional water quality while streamlining operations. For Russell Sparks, owner and head swim teacher at The Swim Centre in Wales, the switch from sand to Glass Pearl has reinforced the school’s commitment to sustainability. Part of Waterco’s Climate Care Certified range, the media delivers measurable savings in energy, water and chemicals while keeping pace with the demands and bather loads of busy commercial pools. “As a newly built facility, we are fully committed to minimising our environmental footprint, including using solar power and other energy-saving technologies wherever possible,” Russell explained. “Waterco’s Glass Pearl media fits seamlessly into this approach, delivering high quality water filtration while supporting our eco-conscious operations.” After noticing that the previous sand filter media was underperforming and likely nearing the end of its life cycle, Russell and his team decided it was time for a
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performance upgrade. “I really wanted a more environmentally responsible alternative, and Cresta Leisure, our trusted pool contractor, recommended Glass Pearl for its proven performance and efficiency,” he said. Glass Pearl operates on the principle of depth filtration, where dirt is driven through the filter bed and trapped in the minute spaces between the particles, allowing only clean water to pass through. The advantages of the upgrade were clear from the moment it was completed, delivering immediate improvements in both performance and efficiency. “The most important thing to us was maintaining water clarity and the quality of experience for all users,” Russell explained. “The pool water remains exceptionally clear, and we have also reduced chemical consumption and water usage by around 25% thanks to the more efficient backwash process.” Waterco Europe 01795 521733 www.waterco.eu
www.swimmingpoolnews.co.uk 15/12/2025 08:21