The much-anticipated Whitchurch Pool & Fitness Centre has officially been completed, marking a significant milestone for the community. The state-of-the-art facility, developed in partnership with Alliance Leisure and procured through the UK Leisure Framework (UKLF), opened its doors to the public on the March 16. The new leisure centre replaces the former facility, which was closed in 2020 due to structural issues.

The new centre boasts a 25-metre, six-lane community pool with a movable floor, a 41-station fitness suite, multi-purpose rooms, accessible changing rooms, and a café. This modern facility aims to provide vital services to the community, attract visitors from nearby regions, boost economic growth, and create new opportunities for local businesses. Additionally, five local primary schools will benefit from access to these state-of-the-art facilities.

The building has also implemented a vast range of sustainability initiatives in order to reduce its impact on the environment and be designed to BREEAM Excellent standards. It has been designed using a ‘Fabric First approach’, whereby thermally efficient cladding, roof structures, and glazing will reduce heat loss. Further, solar panels have been installed on the roof to supplement electricity usage, and highly efficient air source heat pumps will provide heating and cooling within the building.

Robert Macey, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet lead for culture and digital, comments: “I am thrilled to see the progress we have made with the Whitchurch Swimming and Fitness Centre. The build quality is exceptional, and the range of facilities on offer will cater to all members of our community. This project is a testament to our commitment to providing high-quality leisure services and promoting a healthy lifestyle for our residents.”

The £14m project, funded by the council, and thanks to the collaboration of all parties involved, is opening a phenomenal 10 weeks early. The project was delivered using the UK Leisure Framework, owned and managed by Denbighshire Leisure Ltd, alongside Pellikaan Construction, Roberts Limbrick architects, Greenwoods as the Principal Designer, and Axiom Project Services as Project Managers. The centre will be operated by Serco.

Gillian Dunster, Business Development Manager at Alliance Leisure who oversaw the project, says: “The new Whitchurch Pool & Fitness Centre is a testament to what can be achieved through early, successful collaboration. This incredible new facility will absolutely revolutionise the way that local residents from Whitchurch and the surrounding rural areas can get active and socialise. We have worked closely with the council to develop a facility mix that befits the community’s needs, and we can’t wait to see the centre fulfil its objectives upon opening.”