Morgan Sindall Construction's North East team has begun work on the £20 million Outer West Leisure Centre for Newcastle City Council, creating a new focal point for sport, health and community services in the west of the city.

Procured through the Pagabo framework, the complex will include two swimming pools with moveable floors, a competition pool, splash pad, training pools, a sauna and steam room, a sports hall, a library, a gymnasium and office spaces.

Carl Maddison, Project Manager for Morgan Sindall at Outer West Leisure Centre, said: "Building communities is a central tenet to the work we do, and the scheme at Outer West Leisure Centre is a great opportunity, in collaboration with Newcastle County Council, to demonstrate the capability we have as a Tier-one contractor to deliver a future-proof community hub, but also to provide robust social value in all forms within the local environment.""

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Newcastle City Council's Director of Public Health, Alice Wiseman, said: "I am incredibly excited that work has started on the leisure centre and swimming pool at West Denton." "It will offer residents first class health and leisure facilities as well as a new library substantially improving their quality of life." "It's taken a lot of hard work and some dedicated partnership working to get to this stage, but I am thrilled that Morgan Sindall have now commenced the construction phase and I look forward with hope and optimism that the centre will be completed in late 2027.""

Sustainability is central to the design, with photovoltaic panels, electric vehicle charging points and bike storage incorporated alongside new parking facilities. Morgan Sindall has committed to directing 87% of project spend to local SMEs within a 30-mile radius to retain economic benefits in the community.

A comprehensive social value programme is also underway. The team is providing two jobs for work starters and has already filled five roles locally. Over the life of the scheme, Morgan Sindall will deliver two six-week paid work placements, four two-week work trials, 20 hours of school engagement, 150 apprenticeship weeks and six site visits.

Early community investment includes an £11,000 donation to a council-funded art project to brighten the underpass leading to the centre. The company has also pledged £2,000 in materials and 20 hours of supply chain volunteering to support the local bowling club's efforts to grow membership and encourage healthy activity for all ages.

Ground was broken on 12 March, with the facility scheduled to complete in winter 2027.