Revamped leisure centre may not open for two years

The redevelopment of a 1960s swimming pool may not be completed for another two years, a council report has revealed.

Fenland District Council has been considering the future of the Manor Leisure Centre in Whittlesey, near Peterborough, since May 2024.

It had been hoped work would start on modernising the site in November, but this was held up after the project's main contractor went into administration in May.

A report prepared for the council's Conservative cabinet said the redevelopment would cost £23m, including £2.5m of funding from Sport England.

The authority said the leisure centre's existing buildings in Station Road had "reached the end of their useful lives".

It would cost £5.2m to simply maintain the existing buildings, the report continued.

A new leisure centre would include padel and badminton courts, a skate park, soft play area, and cafe.

If it goes ahead, the council estimated the building would be completed by October 2028, with works to create a replacement car park running into 2029.

The existing swimming pool was built as an outdoor lido in 1966 and was covered up in the 1980s, with a gym being added later.

A separate sports hall was built in 1974.

The other options being considered include maintaining the existing buildings and replacing the pool's tank, at a cost of £7.35m.

A third option is maintaining the existing swimming pool and repairing the tank, costing £5.2m, but the council has warned it "cannot be brought to a warranted condition by repair".

Councillors will discuss the options on Monday and are expected to make a decision in December.

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