Speller Metcalfe appointed to deliver new Atherstone Leisure Centre
Speller Metcalfe has been appointed as Principal Contractor by North Warwickshire Borough Council to deliver a new leisure centre in Atherstone, marking a key milestone in the redevelopment of the existing site.
At the end of April, the Speller Metcalfe team will take possession of the current Atherstone Leisure Complex, Memorial Hall and the adjacent car park to begin the first phase of works. This initial stage will include installing site hoarding and preparing the existing buildings for demolition ahead of construction of the new facility.
The appointment follows the submission of a planning application for the new centre earlier this year, representing a significant investment in the health and wellbeing of residents across the Borough.
Mark Hudgeon, divisional director at Speller Metcalfe, said the project will deliver long-term benefits for the community. “We are delighted to have been appointed by North Warwickshire Borough Council to deliver this important project for Atherstone. The new leisure centre will provide high-quality, modern facilities that support healthier lifestyles and bring people together. Our team is looking forward to working collaboratively with the Council and local stakeholders to create a facility the community can be proud of.”
Once complete, the new centre will feature state-of-the-art facilities, improved accessibility and an energy-efficient design, ensuring the building is fit for the future and able to serve the community for generations to come.
Councillor Margaret Bell, chair of the community and executive board, welcomed the progress of the scheme, describing it as “an important milestone for the new Leisure Centre in North Warwickshire” and adding that it was “fantastic to see the next phase about to start.”
To enable the works to begin, Atherstone Leisure Complex and Memorial Hall will close at the end of the Easter school holidays on Sunday 12 April. The Council-owned car park at the site will also close and will remain unavailable throughout the construction period, which is expected to last around two years.
During this time, customers will be able to access alternative leisure facilities at Polesworth Fitness Hub and Coleshill Leisure Centre. Evening and weekend classes currently held at Memorial Hall will transfer to The Queen Elizabeth Academy to maintain continuity of activities. In addition, North Warwickshire Borough Council will provide a dedicated bus service to swimming pools in neighbouring boroughs, with full details of routes and timetables to be announced in the coming weeks.
Leader of the Council, Councillor David Wright, said the new facility will play an important role in the future of the town. He commented: “The Council is proud to be delivering a new centre in the Borough that will serve as a vibrant destination for residents and visitors. Designed to complement the historic heart of the town, the new centre will bring wide-ranging benefits to the local economy and the community, strengthening its role as a place where people can live well, stay active and come together.”
Residents seeking further information about the project, including frequently asked questions and updates on the construction programme, can visit the Council’s website.