NEWS WORK COMMENCES ON NORTHUMBERLAND LEISURE CENTRE POOL At the start of January, work started on Berwick’s new stateof-the art £20m leisure centre in Tweedmouth which is being funded by Northumberland County Council. Tolent Construction Limited has been appointed as the official contractor and the centre will be constructed in phases to ensure that the existing Swan Centre which continues to operate at all times until new facilities open to replace them. Phase 1 includes a new swimming pool and fitness suite and is due to open in March 2021. The new centre is expected to be fully complete and open to the public in summer 2022. Designed by GT3 Architects, in addition to other dry leisure facilities, the centre will feature a fivelane, 25m swimming pool, a teaching pool and leisure pool and spa facilities. David Thompson, Regional Director for Tolent, said: “We are delighted to have been appointed to such a significant project for Berwick and the wider area. This project will not only deliver outstanding leisure and sports facilities but the unique design of the building will be sure to bring interest from far and wide.”
POOLS AT DUNSTABLE LEISURE CENTRE FINALLY OPENS The swimming pools at the £20m Dunstable Leisure Centre opened on 23 December – a full six months after the centre launched. The new centre opened in June 2019 without a working pool because the glue used spoilt the tiling. The centre has a six-lane, 25m swimming pool which provides a range of aqua classes along with public swimming sessions and timetabled activities. There is also a 12.5m learning pool.
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South Lake Leisure Centre – A Stunning Landmark For Craigavon
Designed by renowned architect practice McAdam Design, the £35m South Lake Leisure Centre is the largest project within Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council’s ambitious capital investment programme, and will feature numerous facilities including three pools. Ustigate began their creative involvement in the project back in 2017 and the company’s task was to maximise the future enjoyment to be had in the centre’s fun pool. The project was a tall order from the start with a desire to utilise the available height and include an eight metre waterslide. Whilst a ride from a great height will always be an attraction, it is not an inclusive item and it does not have the ability to entertain several water players at the same time. A tall flume needs to sit amongst other aquatic play items for a facility to be inclusive and achieve crowd pleasing status. On the 3 January 2019, the South Lake Leisure Centre team arrived at a design that ticked all the boxes. Packed to the brim and overflowing with features, the finalised concept provides a multi-level indoor aquatic adventure for
all of Craigavon to have fun. Ustigate’s bespoke Elevation™ structure consists of nine staircases, 11 platforms, 62 water features and two waterslides. One end of the Elevation is an aquatic play paradise for Craigavon’s youngest water players, featuring staircases of no more than 2-3 steps at a time and platforms of varying heights. It is a journey that meanders up and around to platform four where little ones are rewarded with the offer of a ride. The second waterslide on the Elevation is one that budding aquatic enthusiasts will aspire to; a high-entry fuchsia flume guaranteed to thrill Craigavon’s most confident with its double loop the loop and longer ride. For those that prefer their aquatic play at ground level, an inclusive splashpad with an additional 16 products is being installed. Ustigate Waterplay 01322 424445 www.ustigatewaterplay.co.uk
Willmott Dixon Secures Deal For New Pool In Ripon Willmott Dixon is strengthening its track-record as a leading provider of leisure, fitness and wellbeing accommodation, with a £10m contract from Harrogate Borough Council to extend an existing leisure centre. The project will see the company expand Ripon’s leisure centre by building a new 25m pool and associated changing and community areas. Willmott Dixon will also add a new main entrance and lobby to the current centre as well as upgrade the dry leisure facilities.
Procured via Major Works England and Northern Ireland, a part of the Scape National Construction framework, Willmott Dixon is working with Pick Everard as architect and Gleeds as QS and project manager. When completed in 2021, the new six-lane pool will provide a 60 per cent increase in water recreation space in Ripon compared to the existing
pool facility at nearby Ripon Spa Baths, which is nearing the end of its lifespan and will close when the new pool is open. Councillor Stanley Lumley, cabinet member for sport, said: “After what seems like many months of planning and discussion, the work to build the new pool is finally underway. “This represents a significant investment and will provide the people of Ripon with state-of-the-art swimming facilities. Combined with the refurbishment of the leisure centre, we are transforming the sport and leisure offer in this part of the district.”
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