Wates Construction, is preparing to commence construction of a new leisure centre for Selby District Council, following its appointment to deliver the approximately £6m contract.

Work on the project, which is to be part-funded by a £2m Sport England lottery grant, is set to begin in February. Features will include a six-lane 25m competition swimming pool and a learner pool, a studio gym, sauna and steam rooms and an outdoor all-weather sports pitch.

The new facility will be located on Scott Road and will replace the former Abbey Leisure Centre, which was destroyed by fire in February last year. Completion of the project is scheduled for January 2015.


Designed by Bradshaw Gass and Hope LLP, the leisure centre will comprise energy efficiency measures to reduce running costs, including a Combined Heat and Power (CHP) plant and LED lighting.

The project has been procured through the YORbuild construction framework, through which Wates has pledged to boost local training and employment by providing a number of apprenticeship opportunities, totalling 88 working weeks with the site team.

David Price, Business Unit Director, Wates Construction, Yorkshire, commented: "We are delighted to have been appointed to deliver the new Abbey Leisure Centre through the YORbuild framework, which is facilitating the cost and time efficient procurement of essential public sector development works.

"We have an excellent site team in place that will work in partnerhip with Selby Council to ensure the new facility fulfils their vision for a state-of-the-art community leisure centre."

(CD/JP)