More than half the £38 million required for a leisure centre and swimming pool in Peterborough has been awarded.
The Government has announced £20 million will be invested in the proposed new development in the city centre, which has been envisaged for more than two years.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced on Budget day that Peterborough City Council’s bid for funding towards the development has been approved – subject to the approval of a full business case – from the new £240m Growth Mission Fund.
Council leader, Cllr Shabina Qayyum, said: “I am so delighted at the news that Government will be putting £20m into a much-needed new leisure centre and swimming pool for Peterborough.
“This significant investment means it is full steam ahead with our plans and we will progress at pace to deliver a new facility as quickly as possible.
“A new swimming pool will benefit residents of all ages and generations to come, supporting our younger residents to learn how to swim and will promote health and wellbeing for residents of all ages.
“This is yet a further example that the Government is listening to us and is willing to work with us, and importantly invest the money, to improve life for our residents and create more and better opportunities for everyone.”
A preferred option for the development was approved at a council cabinet meeting in October. It concluded an eight-lane 25-metre swimming pool and fitness centre was required.
It will also have poolside and balcony seating, a 20-metre four-lane learner pool with moveable floor, a café, softplay, health and wellbeing suite, community room and health rooms, as well as a fitness suite with 150 stations and studios.
A feasibility study has been completed and now officers are working on a detailed business plan for submission to Government, the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority and other external funders.
The council is currently in the design phase for the project and a planning application is likely next year.
If the full £38m can be secured, construction work will start early in 2027, with completion expected in Summer 2028.
Paul Bristow, Mayor of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, said: “I welcome this new funding for Peterborough. With the Station Quarter works having just begun, this is another step towards the change our city centre needs.
“It’s important to get this pool delivered and keep pushing forward. A new community stadium is high on my list. As Mayor, I will work with the Government, the city council and others to ensure projects happen.”
A series of polls will be published on the council’s Facebook page to gauge public preferences.
Image shows a CGI of the proposed pool.
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