Willmott Dixon has been awarded a £15.9m contract to develop a new leisure centre in Bingham, Nottingham, on behalf of Rushcliffe Borough Council
The new facility is being built in line with the Bingham masterplan and will include a commercial office block, specifically designed to support local start-up businesses.
The new leisure centre will support the local community through the creation of jobs, both within the construction phase and once the project has been completed, and will contribute considerably to the Bingham masterplan’s ambitions, acting as a key conduit to connect the current town to the new local housing developments.
Procured through the Procure Partnerships Framework, the 5,500 sq m development will be known as Bingham Arena, with the adjacent office block being named the Bingham Enterprise Centre.
As part of Willmott Dixon’s on-going commitment to leaving a lasting legacy in the communities it operates within, the company will invest 5% of this project spend back into local community activities with a further 5% invested in local spend and labour costs.
The Bingham Arena will feature a 25-metre six-lane swimming pool with seating for 330 spectators to accommodate swimming competitions and will provide a valuable resource for local schools and swimming groups.
The facility also includes a 13 x 7-metre learning pool, a café, two exercise studios, a spin studio, a fitness gym and changing room facilities, as well as a 207-space car park with 12 additional accessible spaces.
The project support from key partners Parkwood Leisure, Bingham Town Council and funding from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) subject to signing grant funding agreement and the D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership.
The Bingham Arena and Bingham Enterprise Centre project is expected to complete in May 2022.
Bringing people together again
Nick Heath, director of delivery at Willmott Dixon, said: “We are delighted to be working with Rushcliffe Borough Council to deliver this high-quality leisure centre facility in Bingham.
“The use of this state-of-the-art technology will result in a quicker installation. By using this building technique, we will see a 45% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions in comparison to a traditional swimming pool build.
“The pool will also have added strength and resistance to chemicals and corrosives needed in a pool environment due to its chromium-rich alloy, which in turn will offer a longer life span for our customer.
“Alongside the environmental benefits brought by the innovative pool solution, we will also be supporting this development with our Energy Synergy service.
“By optimising this service, Rushcliffe Borough Council can ensure their new facility will perform to the best of its ability, supporting the council’s ambitions of becoming carbon neutral by 2030.”
Conor Neild-Crabb from the Procure Partnerships Framework, added: “We’re delighted to be supporting Rushcliffe Borough Council at Bingham Leisure Centre and we’re really looking forward to seeing the scheme take shape over the coming months.
“Improving leisure provision nationally with the benefits to our wellbeing that physical activity brings will be a key part of recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic.
“Willmott Dixon has fantastic experience in the leisure sector, which shone through during the procurement process.
“We’re sure they will create an enduring hub for the community that can bring people together again post-pandemic.”
