BUILDING work has officially begun on the multi-million pound major refurbishment and extension of Perdiswell Leisure Centre.
Worcester Mayor Coun Roger Knight kicked off the project after putting the first spade in the ground as part of the traditional ceremony on Monday (November 30).
A new eight-lane swimming pool will be built as part of the £10.5million makeover which will enable the city to host regional swimming competitions for the first time.
The centre will also be brought up-to-date, including a new look sports hall, fitness studios, 120 gym stations, café and enhanced wheelchair access for users.
Coun Knight said: “It’s fantastic that after all the work, consultation and planning which have gone on behind the scenes; we’ve finally reached the point where aspirations for Worcester’s new swimming pool have become a reality.
“It will be a great asset for the city, helping residents and visitors learn a life-saving skill, have fun and stay fit.”
Des O’Neill, Managing Director at Speller Metcalfe said: “Today moves us a step closer to delivering high quality leisure facilities for Worcester, enabling local residents and those from further afield to train and compete at the highest level in the new pool and centre facilities.”
- A NUMBER of measures have been introduced to minimise any disruption to local residents during building work at the Perdiswell site. Contractors will minimise traffic to and from the site during peak times such as school runs and rush hour and using a traffic management system to coordinate deliveries
Washing wheels of vehicles will take place as they exit the site to avoid spreading mud on to the main road
Bosses will cordon off the car park next to the site entrance to minimise disruption and maintain access for leisure centre users
Wherever possible, materials will be re-used on site to minimise traffic – for example re-using soil dug out for landscaping purposes.
