Construction starts on Lancashire sports village
Councillors and officers from Hyndburn Borough Council met with Alliance Leisure and members of the ISG construction team to celebrate the start of works on the new, state-of-the-art, leisure and sports complex on Wilson Playing Fields in Clayton-le-Moors, Lancashire.
Councillors and officers from Hyndburn Borough Council met with Alliance Leisure and members of the ISG team to celebrate the start of works on the new, state-of-the-art, leisure and sports complex on Wilson Playing Fields in Clayton-le-Moors, Lancashire.
Funded by Hyndburn Borough Council as part of the borough’s leisure transformation plans and developed by Alliance Leisure through the UK Leisure Framework, when complete, facilities will include a four-lane, 25 metre swimming pool, a fitness suite, sauna & steam room, group exercise studio, café, large changing village and dedicated changing facilities to service teams making use of the various outdoor sports facilities.
In addition to the many social, health and wellbeing benefits Wilson’s Sports Village will deliver to the community, the new building will also optimise energy efficiencies. Air source heat pumps, solar panels and the utilisation of the very latest low and zero carbon technologies will all support the council’s carbon reduction strategy and ambitions to achieve net zero.
"We have assembled a brilliant team with vast experience in leisure development to deliver this project. Partners include; principal contractor ISG with lead design delivery by Pozzoni architects. Bradshaw, Gass & Hope will contribute the structural design requirements and CGP MEP the MEP design. Together we will build a facility that provides an energy efficient sporting hub for the community to enjoy for many generations."
Tom Gardner, Business Development Manager, Alliance Leisure
"It is very fitting that these significant development works fall in the 50th anniversary year for the dedication of Wilson Playing Fields, ensuring the location will remain at the heart of the community's active leisure and wellbeing provision for many years to come. It's fantastic to finally see a spade in the ground. This development reflects the council's commitment to placing the health and wellbeing of our community at the heart of our ongoing strategy. In addition to creating new indoor active opportunities for everyone in the community, the building will add-value to the existing outdoor facilities to create a leisure hub like no other in the local vicinity," added Councillor Marlene Haworth, Leader, Hyndburn Borough Council.
Works are being delivered through the UK Leisure Framework, owned by Denbighshire Leisure Limited (DLL), in full consultation with Hyndburn Borough Council, supported by Hyndburn Leisure and Sport England. Works got underway in February 2024 with Wilson’s Sports Village expected to fully open to the public in the spring of 2025.
Craig Savage, ISG’s Alliance Framework Lead, says: “Local authorities across the country are working with Alliance Leisure to create fit-for-purpose leisure centres that serve the community and encourage people to move. Centres like these, which are more energy efficient and are designed with the community in mind. Through job creation and social value, we will deliver further benefits, creating a lasting legacy through the construction of this leisure and sport complex.”
Martin Bransby, Director, Pozzoni adds: "Pozzoni are absolutely delighted to be part of the design team delivering this new facility at Wilson Playing Fields. The centre will provide much needed high quality wet and dry sports facilities for the wider community. Every effort has been made to make this project as universally accessible as possible, and will be a showcase of how good design, tight planning and modest budget can achieve maximum impact for all users."
