The people of Coventry will soon be able to dive into a new swimming pool after the top beam was placed on the £7.5million extension of a city leisure centre, due to be completed later this year.
Councillor Ed Ruane, Coventry’s cabinet member for sport, has taken the extension of Centre AT7 to its highest point ahead of its scheduled completion in August 2014.
The building extension includes a new 25m swimming pool, a splash pool and racing slides, along with a health suite featuring a jacuzzi, sauna and steam room.
Modifications will be made to existing buildings, managed by Coventry Sports Foundation and owned by Coventry and Warwickshire Award Trust, to create function rooms and offices while a new 216-space car par has already been built.
Construction company Willmott Dixon has been carrying out work on the site since June 2013.
The foundation manages the Centre AT7, in North-East Coventry, as well as a number of other state-of-the-art sports facilities across the city, and Paul Breed is excited to see the pool’s launch become a step closer with this latest milestone.
“We are really looking forward to unveiling these improvements to Centre AT7, particularly the new swimming pool,” he said.
“The new facilities will be among the best in the city and it is fantastic to be able to offer these to the people of North-East Coventry.
“We have great experience in the management and development of high-quality sports facilities across the city and those at Centre AT7 will be of huge benefit to local families and swimming groups from around the city.
“We are really pleased that the work has progressed on schedule and can’t wait to see the end results and share them with the public.”
Cllr Ed Ruane, Cabinet Member for Housing, Heritage and Sport said: “I’m delighted to see this fantastic new facility taking shape. The building is going up at speed and once it is open I am sure it will be very popular.
“We are committed to ensuring that local people have access to top class facilities – whether they want to enjoy sport recreationally or competitively. I’m sure families will also enjoy the racing slides which will be great fun too.”
Ed Reynolds, Willmott Dixon’s director of operations for the West Midlands said: “This project will enable Centre AT7 to offer a higher standard of sports and fitness facilities to more people, which can only be a good thing for the local area.
“We are very pleased with how this programme of works has developed and are confident that visitors will be happy with the new facilities when it opens.”
