Wates starts £21m Carlisle leisure centre scheme

Wates Construction has started work on a £21.5m revamp of a leisure centre in Carlisle.Wates is redeveloping and expanding The Sands Centre for Carlisle City Council to provide improved sports facilities as well as a community centre.The two-storey extension will add 40,000 sq ft to the existing building, with the redeveloped centre offering facilities including an events hall with viewing gallery, a four-court sports hall, a 25-metre swimming pool and a 20-metre learner pool with moveable floor. The new Sands Centre will also have a café and bar area, dance studios and a non-clinical NHS facility.Construction on the Sands Centre started this week, with full completion expected by October 2022.The existing Sands Centre will remain open and active throughout the new build works.Related InformationThe project team also includes Pick Everard, GT3 Architects, Buro Happold and FT Leisure.This is Wates’ third leisure project to be booked through the Scape Construction framework, following the recently completed Braywick Leisure Centre and the Sandwell Aquatics Centre that is set to be completed in early 2022.