Rushmoor Borough Council has celebrated the progress on work to build Farnborough Pools and Fitness centre with a groundbreaking ceremony.
Alliance Leisure Services are overseeing the project on behalf of the council and Pellikaan Construction are carrying out the build, with completion scheduled towards the end of next year.
Councillor Gareth Williams, Leader of Rushmoor Borough Council and MP for Aldershot, Alex Baker joined project partners at the groundbreaking ceremony on Wednesday (30 September) to celebrate the work already completed on site.
Work started on site in the summer when the Queensmead car park was closed to make way for the new development in Farnborough town centre.
Once complete, Farnborough Pools and Fitness will have a 25-metre swimming pool and learner pool with moveable floor, there will be a gym, two studio spaces, a spin studio, soft play area and a café. An outside space will include a new play area for families and landscaping as well as bicycle and mobility parking and associated car parking.
Since work began on site, significant progress has been made with the structural piling works now complete. Dewatering works are underway, and the excavation of the pool areas are ongoing. Work is also beginning on the construction of a new car park on the adjacent Pinehurst site.
Councillor Gareth Williams, Leader of Rushmoor Borough Council said: “It is exciting to see construction progressing and you can already see the footprint of our fantastic new swimming pool. I’m delighted that MP for Aldershot, Alex Baker could join us today as she has played a key role in ensuring that government funding for the project could be used.”
Councillor Williams added: “Once complete, Farnborough Pools and Fitness will provide modern leisure facilities for swimming, exercise and family activities for the community in the heart of the town centre, and every milestone brings us one step closer to welcoming residents through the doors.”
Karl Miles, Regional Contract Manager at Everyone Active who have been appointed to run the new leisure facility on the council’s behalf said: “We’re really excited about what Farnborough Pools and Fitness will bring to the local community. It’s fantastic to see the project progressing and we’re looking forward to working with Rushmoor Borough Council to bring these new facilities to life. The centre will offer something for everyone, from swimming and fitness to family activities, and we can’t wait to welcome local people when it opens.”
As part of the groundbreaking ceremony, some new artwork was also unveiled on the development hoardings created by local artist Kev Munday. The colourful artwork includes sporting imagery and local landmarks as well as viewing windows so that passers-by can see how the development is coming along.
Looking ahead to the autumn, the council will be asking for input from local children to help choose the designs for a new outdoor play area for families.
For further information about the project and to view timelapse footage of the work completed so far go our Farnborough Pools and Fitness page.
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