Wates has secured a £20.1 million contract to refurbish a leisure centre in Dunstable, Bedfordshire.

The project involves replacing the current facility with a modern leisure centre featuring a 100-station gym, multi-purpose studios, a 25-metre swimming pool and learner pool with viewing gallery. Completion is scheduled for 2018/19.

Other highlights will include a fully accessible ground floor library, with flexible space for activities, a bespoke children's zone, meeting rooms and new facilities for teenagers. In addition, a new crèche and a bigger café will be installed, as well as flexible community space for other public and community services. Provisions will also be in place for disabled parking.

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Ian Vickers, Managing Director, Wates Construction Home Counties, said: "Central Bedfordshire Council's Leisure Strategy put forwards a bold plan for the future of recreational facilities in the county, and we're privileged to be working with them in bringing what will be an exceptional new leisure centre to life.

"We look forward to getting to know the Dunstable community during our time on the project, while creating a range of employment and training opportunities for local people. We aim to ensure our presence in the area leaves behind a skills legacy as well as an excellent new leisure centre."

Jill Dickinson, Assistant Director of Leisure, Libraries and Countryside, Central Bedfordshire Council, added: "After 42-years of service, the old centre was no longer fit for purpose and did not offer value for our customers. When the new facility is open it should provide high quality state-of-the-art leisure facilities alongside a brand new library, right in the middle of town."

(LM/MH)