The contract to design Lichfield’s new £10 million leisure centre has been awarded to a company founded by British Olympic swimmers Becky Adlington OBE and Steve Parry MBE.
ReCreation will develop plans for the brand-new purpose-built facility at Stychbrook Park after it was chosen over five other bidders, scoring highest in terms of quality and price.
The company, which was founded in 2005, states its mission is ‘to provide modern community leisure centres with swimming pools at their heart’.
ReCreation uses ‘the latest, innovative methods of design and construction to develop energy-efficient and minimally polluting facilities – for the recreation of local people but never at the expense of the local environment’.
The much-needed new leisure centre will replace the ageing Friary Grange Leisure Centre and feature a six-lane 25metre swimming pool, a vending area, a dance studio, a changing area for outdoor activity, a 3G pitch, an 80-station fitness and toning suite, Spin Studio and cycling points.
ReCreation employs a unique above-ground swimming pool design which is more affordable than the traditional construction method requiring excavation. The company has been asked to design a pool with variable depth.
The Leader of Lichfield District Council, Councillor Doug Pullen, said:
“I am delighted that in ReCreation we have secured a company with the expertise to deliver exactly what Lichfield needs, endorsed by two of the finest swimmers this country has ever produced.
“We know how important quality leisure facilities are to the district’s residents and appointing a designer for the new leisure centre is an important step towards bringing the project to fruition.”
Becky Adlington OBE said:
“Whether as a training ground for the next generation of Olympians, or as a community hub in which to stay physically and mentally in superb health, all of us at ReCreation are thrilled to be developing this new leisure centre for the people of Lichfield.”