Phased summer opening announced for new Rivermead Leisure Centre
THE NEW leisure centre at Rivermead is set for a phased opening this summer, with the new centre’s dry-side facilities opening first, which will include a 6-court sports hall and a 120-station gym with studios, followed by the new swimming pools next year.
The main external frame, internal structure and swimming pool structure have been completed on schedule but an issue beyond the project’s control will delay the opening of the pools.
GLL’s contractor, Pellikaan Construction, has applied for an abstraction licence from the Environment Agency (EA) enabling ground water level to be lowered sufficiently to allow construction of the new diving pool.
Despite delays to the licence being granted due to a backlog of cases, GLL and Reading Borough Council are confident the issue will be resolved soon. Meantime, work continues on site to other elements of the project, in preparation for the summer opening.
GLL is contacting existing users to set out the facilities available this summer. The dryside facilities, which include a fantastic new sports hall, fitness centre, studios, soft play centre and café, changing rooms, accessible toilets and a Changing Places facility, as well as new front of house and reception area, will open in July 2023. The existing centre will then be demolished to construct a new car park and children’s play area.
The impact of the delay in granting the abstraction licence means that the swimming pool and diving pool – which has a movable a floor to allow it to also be used as a learner pool - are unlikely to open before 2024.
The plan will be to provide swimming facilities through the existing pool on site, in addition to the new community pool at Palmer Park and the pools at Meadway and South Reading Leisure Centres.
Building works will be needed later this year to incorporate the demountable pool into the new leisure centre to enable continuity of swimming provision at the centre. There is likely to be a brief pool closure as part of these works: GLL will contact centre users to ensure they are aware in good time of any changes to sessions.
GLL’s Regional Director Jamie Coleshill said: “We’d like to apologise to customers and thank them for their patience while unforeseen delays to the project are managed.
“GLL, Pellikaan and Reading Borough Council are all working at pace together to bring forward these state-of-the-art leisure facilities that will be the envy of the Thames Valley.
“With an emphasis on accessibility and affordability, the new leisure complex will support the health and wellbeing of thousands of residents young and old – getting more people, more active more often.
“We know leisure centre users can’t wait to see inside – so keep a look out for updates on our opening weekend and tours.”
Sport England, the sporting body that is contributing £1.5 million towards the costs of the new leisure facilities at Rivermead and Palmer Park, is supportive of the phased opening approach and will be working closely with GLL and Reading Council during the new timeframe.