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The Cabinet at Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council has selected Morgan Sindall to build the state-of-the-art facility on the former Subaru garage site in Brunswick Street, adjacent to Jubilee Pool.

Morgan Sindall – a leading UK construction and regeneration group – achieved the best result out of four companies in a procurement process that measured quality and value for money.

The £7.5 million contract is now subject to a 10-day “standstill” period where the unsuccessful contractors can challenge the decision.

Neale Clifton, Executive Director for Regeneration and Development, said: “The award of the contract is a significant milestone in this exciting scheme.

“We are now one step closer to having services fit for the 21^st century that we can all be proud of.

“Morgan Sindall’s bid was very impressive and came out well within the borough council’s original construction budget for the scheme, which represents the best possible deal for residents.

“The council is not just going to provide a new swimming pool and gym – there will be a range of modern facilities designed to have a positive impact on the health, all-round well-being and quality of life of all sections of the community.”

Wm Saunders Partnership – one of the country’s leading sports architecture companies – has drawn up the exciting designs.                                                                   

Facilities will include a 25-metre swimming pool, learner pool, spectator gallery, changing facilities, climbing wall, fitness suite, children’s activity room, dance studio and multi-purpose room.

The building has been designed to achieve at least a BRE Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM) “very good” rating.

Environmentally friendly features include solar panels on the roof, light-emitting diode (LED) lighting, the use of daylight sensors and motion detectors on other lighting systems and a combined heat and power unit.

The centre will replace the aging Jubilee Pool and Knutton Recreation Centre and is scheduled to be completed before the end of 2011.

NHS North Staffordshire has contributed £500,000 towards the scheme in a bid to tackle health inequalities.

Council Leader Simon Tagg added: “The borough council remains on target and on budget to deliver this major health scheme, which will also help to regenerate the town centre.

“Because of the significant savings the council has made, we have been able to upgrade the building specification to include even more features such as better flooring, changing rooms and an abseil point to the climbing wall.

“Residents of all ages will be using the fantastic facilities by the time the 2012 Olympics begin.”

Trees will be planted along Brunswick Street in 2012 to replace the four trees which will be felled in September to allow the development to go ahead.

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