Wates Construction has started work to develop a multi-million pound leisure centre in Maidenhead.

The Braywick Leisure Centre build got underway with works to create 240 additional, permanent car parking spaces which will be available for residents to use from early 2019. Over the coming months foundations for the building with be dug and drains and utility supplies installed.

Cllr Samantha Rayner, lead member for culture and communities (inc, customer and business services) said: "This step gives reality to the project which has taken a long time to get to and shows our commitment to deliver outstanding sporting and community facilities to our residents."

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A time lapse camera will also be installed on the site to capture all the action and footage from the build will be made available to residents at regular intervals during the build.

The new leisure centre, which will replace the aging Magnet Leisure Centre, will provide state-of-the-art sports facilities for residents including:

• A 10-lane, 25m swimming pool – up from eight lanes at the Magnet.

• A larger training pool – almost twice the size of the Magnet.

• A larger splash area and larger pool changing village.

• A 200-station gym (up from 150) and a separate health suite.

• Two dance studios and a spinning studio.

• Four squash courts – which can also be reconfigured into another studio space.

• Six outdoor netball / tennis courts.

• An 80-seat café with views of the pool.

• A replacement Pearce Suite hall to seat up to 650 people for events.

• A new soft play area.

• Improved accessibility for disabled users and sports teams.

• A 40m x 60m floodlit all weather 3G pitch.

The Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead has appointed Wates as the construction partner to develop the site.