With archaeology work set to begin on the cinema development outside Ely this month, significant progress is also being made on the District’s Leisure Centre development.

This autumn, Mace Group were appointed to help bring the project to fruition using their many years of expertise in leisure centre development.

They will assist the Council specifically with the contractor and operator tender process as well as work with the architects during the detail design and planning process.

At next week’s Commercial Services Committee, Councillors will hear the latest on the facility mix. This includes how discussions with Sport England and the Amateur Swimming Association are progressing, and how 40 spectator seats have been suggested to be included in the design and a moveable floor in the learner pool will negate the need for a ‘beach’ slope.

The final decision on the funding of the new centre is due to be made at the Full Council meeting in April 2016.

Councillor Richard Hobbs, Chairman of Commercial Services Committee at East Cambridgeshire District Council, said: “Over the last few months, we have made real progress with the Leisure Centre development. We have appointed Mace Group who has impressive credentials in assisting local authorities to deliver projects on time and to budget. Their insight and knowledge has already proved invaluable in recent weeks and will ultimately help the authority to save significant sums of money through their expertise.

“This project will continue to gather pace in the winter months as the detailed design process concludes with a planning application being submitted. This will include the final facility mix to meet the requirements of the national sporting bodies and some of the expectations of the wider community. This will involve some difficult decisions in some areas due to cost and space but we will try to find compromises where possible to deliver a centre to meet the needs of the whole District.”

Richard Smith from Mace, said: “We are delighted to be appointed to assist the council in delivering this new leisure centre. This new facility will enhance the wider development on the site and provide exciting leisure facilities to the local people of Ely.”

The new facility which will form part of the leisure village on the A10 near Ely aims to meet most of the demand for leisure facilities in East Cambridgeshire for the next 25 years.

In November 2014, the Council agreed the mix of facilities which the leisure centre would have to address the existing gaps in provision, meet future demands; and be cost effective to operate. These are:

•      an eight lane 25m Pool
•      a learner Pool
•      a Health & Fitness Suite (120 stations)
•      Two Activity Studios
•      a four Court Sports Hall
•      a Full Size Artificial Grass Pitch.

For more information please call 01353 665555 or visit: www.eastcambs.gov.uk.