Government agrees £20m grant for Peterborough swimming pool
More funding has been approved for the pool which is expected to £43 million
Plans for a new swimming pool and leisure centre in Peterborough have taken a major step forward, despite the expected cost rising by nearly £6 million.
Peterborough City Council has accepted a £20 million government grant towards the project, which will now have an expected price tag of around £43 million.
The council's cabinet has been told the extra funding means the project is financially secure, with officers saying cost won't increase again.
Ian Phillips, the council's head of communities, said: “I am quite confident that we are in a very good place now. The amount of funding that we have requested does include contingencies and does include a ceiling for anything.”
He added: “When we get into contract in the new year or late Christmas we will have a fixed price contract so costs will not increase beyond what is signed off at that stage.”
The original budget agreed by the council was £37.1 million.
The increase has been blamed on more detailed design and site investigations, higher construction costs and the rising price of materials including steel, timber and insulation. Highways work outside the development site is also adding to the bill.
The council is expected to borrow around £23 million to cover the cost of the project, although it is continuing to look for other grants and private sector funding.
The new leisure centre will replace Peterborough's demolished Regional Pool and will be built south of the university, next to the athletics track and overlooking the Embankment.
It will include an eight-lane, 25-metre swimming pool, as well as a 20-metre activity pool with a moveable floor, a café, family play area, health and wellbeing rooms, a 150-station gym and several studios.
Councillor Zameer Ali, Cabinet Member for Communities and Public Safety, said: “The confirmation from Government of this funding is so important as it brings this much-needed facility another step closer for our city.”
He added: “Our residents deserve to have access to high-quality swimming facilities, and this new leisure centre will give them a modern, accessible place to swim, exercise and enjoy activities with family and friends.”
The government grant comes from the £20 million Growth Mission Fund.
Minister for Small Business and Enterprise Lord Leong said: “Thanks to £20 million from the Growth Mission Fund, Peterborough will get a brand-new leisure centre that will help more people of all ages dive into swimming, stay active, learn new skills and connect with their community.”
The planning application was submitted in July and is expected to be decided in October.
Site clearance is hoped to begin in November, with main construction starting early next year.
The council says the leisure centre remains on track to open in September 2028.