Wates to build combined fire station leisure centre

Wates Construction has been appointed to build a combined sports centre and fire station in Toxteth, Liverpool.

Wates was awarded a contract by Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service through the North West Construction Hub procurement framework. The value of the contract was undisclosed

The £4.8m project is being funded by a £2.3m grant from the lottery's MyPlace scheme, a £2m investment from Merseyside Fire & Rescue and £500,000 from Liverpool City Council. The facility was designed by Cass Associates in Liverpool, which has provided architectural, landscape design and planning services.

Known as Toxteth Firefit, the facility will be located on Upper Hill Street on the site of the existing Toxteth Sports Centre, which is being demolished to make way for the new building.

Work will see the relocation of Toxteth fire station and the construction of a new suite of community facilities including kitchen, meeting rooms, dance studio, fitness gym, combat sports room, table tennis studio, climbing wall, sports hall, and craft room.

Work is set to commence with the demolition of Toxteth sports centre at the beginning of October.

John Shannon, business unit director at Wates Construction in the North West, said: "The facilities are set to make a real impact on both the social and physical regeneration of the area and we hope to use our presence here to offer even more positive opportunities for local people throughout the course of construction."

The project is expected to be completed in summer 2012.