Ribbon cut for £27m Sands Centre expansion
The 40,000 sq ft leisure facility, which has been on the local agenda since 2009, opened to the public yesterday.
Work on the Sands Centre was jumpstarted with the securing of planning permission in 2018 after stalling about a decade earlier due to funding difficulties.
Main contractor Wates Construction began work in 2020 on the building by Bridgewater Road. The leisure centre expansion includes a 25-metre main pool, 20-metre learner pool, four-court sports hall with a spectator gallery, and a fully equipped gym. There is also a café and bar area that is run by Hickory’s.
The build includes provisions for reducing carbon emissions, improving energy efficiency and providing eco-friendly healthy transport options.
Funds for the project came from Carlisle City Council and from a £2.2m grant from Sport England.
The project team consisted of GT3 Architects and CJ Consilium on design, Pick Everard as the quantity surveyor, and Buro Happold on engineering and flood risk consultancy. OOBE, Pace, and FT Leisure made up the rest of the consortium.
Regional managing director of Wates Dave Saville hailed the future benefits of the scheme.
“The Sands Centre has been carefully designed to support the long-term wellbeing of Carlisle communities and we’re proud to say the positive impact of this build goes even further than the end asset,” Saville said.
“We committed to making construction benefit the wider region through delivering social value, maximising local employment – both through the supply chain and provision of training opportunities to young people – as well as ensuring the build prioritised sustainability throughout.”
At the core of the project has been a concerted effort to improve access to health facilities in Carlisle. An inclusive design approach was employed that considers assisting those with physical and other conditions including dementia.
The expansion also allows North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust’s musculoskeletal team to build on their existing services and introduce a rehabilitation facility onsite.
Carlisle City Council Leader Cllr John Mallinson praised the project.
“Massive improvements have been made to the site and it will provide huge benefits for the wellbeing of our communities,” he said.
The Sands Centre is managed by GLL, part of the Better brand, on behalf of the Carlisle City Council.
