Construction is now underway for a new Nottinghamshire swimming pool.
Due to open in the summer of 2021, a 20 metre by 10-metre pool with five lanes is being built next to the Dukeries Leisure Centre in Ollerton by Newark and Sherwood District Council.
It is being built to meet an expected increase in demand - with a 32 per cent population growth anticipated by 2026 in Ollerton and nearby Boughton.
The development is being partially funded by a £250,000 grant from Sport England.
The leisure centre, which is run by the district council’s own leisure company, Active4Today, is situated next to an area of land earmarked for a new housing development site, with more than 200 new homes planned on land between Hallam Road and Stepnall Heights.
Councillor Roger Jackson, chairman of Newark and Sherwood District Council’s leisure and environment committee, said: “Currently, leisure centres across the country are recovering from months of closure, due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
"However, despite current usage restrictions still being in place, the council is forging ahead with its ambitious plans to create swimming opportunities for all, resulting in happier, healthier and safer communities.
“Ollerton and Boughton is the largest population centre in Sherwood and the previous leisure facilities simply would not accommodate the needs of the growing number of inhabitants.
"Our residents deserve and need a top-class leisure facility and I’m really pleased that work is getting underway."
The purpose-built pool will come with a reception area, unisex changing village, poolside storage and associated pool plant room.
The project has received support from Sport England, which has committed a capital grant of £250,000 from its Community Asset Fund dedicated to enhancing activity spaces in local communities.
Charles Johnston, property director for Sport England, said: “In these challenging times for the sport and physical activity sector it is extremely encouraging to see a local authority continuing to invest in its facilities to enable its community to be regularly active.
"Sport England is proud to offer its financial support to this exciting scheme and we wish the council and Active4Today every success.”
