WYRE Forest’s new multi-million pound leisure centre is now half way through its construction on the former British Sugar site at Silverwoods.
On Tuesday (January 26) councillors, business members and guests gathered to mark the landmark building reaching its half way point with a tour of the site. Delegates saw the progress of the different areas of the centre and its facilities.
The new £11.9 million state-of-the-art centre – which will be designed, built, operated and maintained by Places for People Leisure after they were awarded a 25-year contract – will include a six-lane 25m swimming pool, learner pool, dance studios, sports hall, climbing wall, fitness suite and small outdoor football pitches.
A café with viewing facilities, a children’s play area, a health suite equipped with sauna and steam room and free parking will also be available.
Wyre Forest District Council was also awarded £2 million of National Lottery funding from Sport England, towards the construction.
Construction started on the site in June 2015 in preparation for a summer 2016 opening.
Those in attendance on Tuesday included representatives from Wyre Forest District Council, Places for People Leisure, Pellikaan Construction, Sport England and Roberts Limbrick architects.
Councillor Marcus Hart, leader of the district council, said: “The progress made on the new leisure centre is fantastic and we are delighted to be celebrating this milestone in the build.
“We are now looking forward to welcoming the public to the centre in the summer.
“It is going to offer fantastic leisure opportunities for everyone in a modern, energy efficient building.
“It will also save the council up to £500,000 a year.”
Peter Kirkham, development director at Places for People Leisure, said: “This partnership with Wyre Forest District Council is an incredibly strong one that has been nurtured over the past few years.
“We have all worked hard to reach this point and it is fantastic to see how far the project has come along in the past few months. Now that the construction is past the half way point, the local community is one step closer to having a state of the art leisure facility in Wyre Forest.
“Our aims, as they were at the start of the project, continues to be to focus on how we, along with the local council, can create ways in which to improve the health and wellbeing of the Wyre Forest community.
“Soon residents will be able to partake in a range of activities at the new high quality facility and confidently engage in exercise and sport.”
Steve Welch, relationship manager at Sport England, said: “By contributing this lottery grant funding, Sport England are able to support Wyre Forest District Council in their investment into community sport and physical activity.
“The range and quality of the facilities in this new centre are extremely impressive and it will be a fantastic benefit to the local community, helping to get the nation more active.
“We look forward to working alongside Wyre Forest District Council and Places for People Leisure over the coming years in delivering excellent leisure services for the local community.”
The opening of the new leisure centre will see the closure of Kidderminster’s Wyre Forest Glades Leisure Centre and Stourport Sports Centre, while Bewdley Leisure Centre will remain open.
For more information visit wyreforestdc.gov.uk/newleisurecentre.
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