Planning permission granted for new leisure centre – construction scheduled to start this Spring
Building the new leisure centre for Kingston town centre is another step closer as planning permission has been granted for the scheme.
The approved design will create the range of activities that our communities said they wanted to see, in a sustainably designed building that will be home to a 25m x 8 lane swimming pool, a training and teaching pool, a new health suite, gym, cycling and activity studios, sports hall, squash courts, soft play area and cafe.
Accessibility and inclusivity remain key features of the project. It will create new pedestrian links into the town centre, next to a range of landscaped public spaces throughout the scheme, as well as a new and improved play area.
Cllr Alison Holt, Portfolio Holder for Economic Development and Leisure, said:
“Gaining planning permission is a huge step forward, and we are excited to get on and deliver the new centre that meets the highest standards of quality, sustainability and accessibility, and meets the needs of our communities.
“We are moving swiftly towards putting a spade in the ground, and are on the final stretch of the procedures needed on a project of this scale, so that we can bring forward a fantastic new facility for all in the borough.”
Final committee approval for the construction contract will be sought in March, and should that be granted, it is envisaged construction of the centre will start in Spring 2025, with the target for opening the new building in Spring 2027.
In a significant change from the previous project, construction experts Pellikaan have been brought on board much earlier in the process to give better assurances around costs and programme as the project progresses to completion. Designed by award-winning architects Roberts Limbrick, the project continues to be overseen by Alliance Leisure, procured through the UK Leisure Framework, who have brought together the expertise needed to deliver the project, including project management from Hadron Consulting.
Tom Fairey, Development Director Alliance Leisure, said:
“We are delighted that this hugely significant project has now taken another large step towards being delivered for Kingston. We are looking forward to continuing at pace through the final stage of pre-construction, and working with our expert partners to deliver this exciting new centre that meets the needs of the borough for many years to come.”