Work underway on £21m Pontefract leisure centre – will become region's largest

Work has begun on a £20.8m leisure centre in Pontefract in West Yorkshire.

The Five Towns Leisure and Wellbeing Hub will be owned by Wakefield Council is due to open in late 2020.

The hub – the largest of its kind ever built Wakefield – will house a 10-lane swimming pool, studio pool with moveable floor, and a splash pad water confidence area.

There will also be a health club with a large gym floor and group exercise studios, an indoor climbing hub, café and a soft play area.

Outside facilities also include tennis courts, a full-size 3G grass pitch, a wellbeing garden and an interactive play area.

Wakefield Council has appointed Willmott Dixon to build the centre, which was designed by GT3 Architects. ARCADIS Design & Consultancy has been appointed project manager and Waterman Group as structural engineers.

“The benefits of this project are enormous and will have a lasting impact and a role in tackling health issues such as childhood obesity, long-term respiratory and circulatory diseases and mental health conditions," said Jacquie Speight, Wakefield Council's cabinet member for leisure and sport.

"It will also support our efforts to reduce social isolation among older people."

Anthony Dillon, managing director for Willmott Dixon in North, added: "Five Towns Leisure is part a new breed of facility by local authorities that are more like community hubs, offering a wide range of activities and services for local people, and we are looking forward to making another big impact in Wakefield by expanding the District’s leisure and community facilities with Five Towns Leisure.”