SCAPE gets green light on £23 million leisure centre

The state-of-the-art new Hart Leisure Centre, designed by GT architects, is being built for Hart District Council and will provide extensive facilities including three swimming pools, a 120 station gym, climbing wall, coffee shop, multiple sports pitches and a sports hall. The site is at the edge of a new country park that will be completed in 2017, and the architectural design allows the building to blend seamlessly into the natural surroundings.

The construction process will be governed by rigorous key performance indicators guaranteeing a host of benefits to the local community, which include; ensuring 85% of suppliers are SME businesses, 75% of the construction contract value is delivered by SMEs and 75% of local labour is sourced within 40 miles of the site. The project is also set to provide 88 work experience placements for 15-17 years olds from the local area and the same number to those over 18, as well as facilitating 44 National Vocational Qualifications.

Since 2010 SCAPE and Willmott Dixon projects have delivered £593million worth of local investment, supported 38,494 young people through training and education with 100% of projects delivered in time and on budget.

Mark Robinson, SCAPE, Group Chief Executive, comments:

“This project highlights just how versatile and creative our Major Works framework can be. Through our work Hart District Council has been able to respond to the increasing demand from their constituents for a diverse range of new community facilities, whilst working within a budget."

Councillor Ken Crookes, Portfolio Holder for Finance and Economic Development at Hart District Council, said: “I am pleased that the Council has agreed to go ahead and build the new leisure centre. I look forward to working with our new partners in delivering this outstanding new facility for the people of Hart."

The new leisure centre is set to open in April 2017.