Stepnell has completed the main structural phase of the £11.3 million leisure centre at Stychbrook Park in Lichfield.

The occasion was celebrated with a traditional 'topping out' ceremony, attended by Double Olympic gold medallist Rebecca Adlington OBE. The facility, which will replace the ageing Friary Grange Sports Centre, is scheduled to open in December 2025.

Once complete, the modern leisure hub will feature a 25-metre, six-lane swimming pool, an 80-station gym, state-of-the-art spin and dance studios, a community room, and a full-size outdoor 3G pitch with upgraded changing facilities.

The scheme was procured via the Procure Partnerships Framework, with Stepnell appointed by Lichfield District Council as the full design and build construction partner.

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Tom Wakeford, Managing Director at Stepnell, said: "We are incredibly proud to be delivering the Lichfield leisure centre. It's fantastic to see the vision for this state-of-the-art facility truly coming together.

"Our team has worked diligently to ensure the project progresses well, and we’re excited for the community to benefit from this fantastic new centre."

Throughout the construction process, Stepnell has maintained strong community engagement. This has included partnerships with students from Chase Terrace Academy and prioritising local suppliers to boost the regional economy. The team has also ensured consistent communication with residents through monthly newsletters, drop-in sessions, and on-site noticeboards.

Councillor Doug Pullen, Leader of Lichfield District Council, commented: "Today isn't just about concrete and steel – it's a celebration of how far we've come as a community in creating a leisure centre we can all be proud of. Thank you to everyone involved in making this possible."

Adrian Turner, Director of Client Success at ReCreation, the specialist leisure consultancy guiding the development, added: "The project is progressing superbly and remains on schedule and budget. We are proud to support Lichfield District Council in delivering a modern facility designed to inspire and support community health and wellbeing for years to come."