Parkwood Leisure has chosen Speller Metcalfe as its main contractor for the new £14m Tarka Leisure Centre in Barnstaple, Devon
The new Parkwood Leisure centre includes a 25m, eight-lane swimming pool and 20m trainer pool, both with moveable floors that allow the pools to reach up to 1.8m in depth.
This will enable the leisure centre to provide fit-for-purpose lifeguard training facilities and accommodate additional sports such as water polo, funded in part by the Coastal Communities Fund and National Lottery grants through Sport England
The new centre, which has been designed by Watson Batty Architects, will sit adjacent to Tarka Tennis and replace the outdated North Devon Leisure Centre on the Seven Brethren industrial estate, which has become unfit for purpose.
Alongside the pools, a unique feature and draw for the centre will be its interactive ‘endless ski slope’ – the first of its kind for Devon – accommodating skiers, snowboarders and tobogganers, which will be built in a room that runs inside to out and will be fitted out by a specialist contractor.
Additional facilities
These include a four-court sports hall, gym, three fitness studios, indoor soft play, café and reception area. Outside the centre, visitors will have ample parking on-site and be able to enjoy a children’s play area.
The project is due to complete in early 2022.
Provide both employment and increased visitor opportunities
Glen Hall, managing director of Parkwood Leisure, said: “After a successful partnership working together on the brand new facility at Broughton Astley Leisure Centre we’re delighted to be working with Speller Metcalfe again at Barnstaple Leisure Centre.
“It’s an exciting development and we’re looking forward to seeing what we can achieve in providing state-of-the-art leisure facilities for the local community.”
Rob Lashford, regional director for Speller Metcalfe, added: “With solid experience in the leisure sector, Speller Metcalfe is delighted to be delivering our second scheme for Parkwood Leisure.
“This new site will not only be an improvement on the existing leisure centre but provide both employment and increased visitor opportunities for Barnstaple through the unique facilities on offer.”
