Hyde’s £3.2m pool extension put on hold

A £3.2m extension of Hyde Leisure Pool, designed by architect Pozzoni, has been put on hold by Tameside Council following the withdrawal of the project’s main contractor and a funding review.

The proposals at the Active Hyde leisure centre off Walker Lane are for an extension to the existing building, which currently houses a leisure pool, changing facilities, and a café and viewing area. The site also borders Hyde United’s Ewen Fields football ground.

The existing octagonal building covers around 22,500 sq ft; an extension on an adjacent plot of land would link to the existing building via the changing facilities and would provide an additional 13,300 sq ft of space featuring a 25m, six-lane swimming pool, a new plant room, and larger changing facilities.

However, the council has now confirmed that the scheme’s preferred main contractor withdrew from the project the day before a contract was due to be signed; although the identity of the company has not been confirmed by the council, Castelford-based construction firm Strategic Team Group was understood to be bidding for the scheme.

The drop-out of the main contractor, coupled with a review into the council’s capital programme, and a further council review into its leisure management options, has now meant the £3.2m extension has been put on hold.

Tameside Council added the scheme would remain on hold “Pending the outcome of these reviews later in the year”.

Plans for the project were approved in 2017, and in summer that year, Tameside Council approved a budget of £3.1m to deliver the scheme.

A further £88,300 was signed off by the council’s executive cabinet in March this year to allow works to start on site, following delays due to “technical issues” which needed the council to secure additional funding. A construction start date of May 2018 was then agreed.