Work has begun on new leisure centre for East Cambridgeshire which is set to open to the public next year.

The leisure centre, which is being built by contractor Pellikaan, will include an eight-lane 25m swimming pool, a learner pool with moveable floor, a 120-station gym floor, two activity studios and a four-court sports hall. Outside there will be a 3G artificial grass pitch.

Paul Robertson, Senior Project Manager for MACE, said: “We understand how significant a milestone this is for the people of East Cambridgeshire. This has been a project which we have been proud to work on through the design stage and are now excited to see work commence in constructing a high quality leisure centre for the community. We have visited a number of leisure centres delivered by Pellikaan and are confident that the right contractor has been selected to deliver your new leisure facility.”

Corné van Mook, Contract Manager for Pellikaan, said: “We are very pleased to be the selected Design and Build partner to East Cambridgeshire District Council for this fantastic new Leisure Centre in Ely. As Pellikaan Construction we will be using our vast amount of experience in the design and construction of new build leisure centres to deliver this project on time and within budget. After completion, it will offer a whole range of top fabulous sporting and fitness facilities, which can and hopefully will be used and enjoyed by all members of the local community. We pride ourselves that we always find a healthy mix of specialist subcontractors that work with us throughout the UK and local subcontractors, who know their way around and take pride in working on their local leisure centre, which they can use themselves and with their families for many years to come.”

Chairman of the Commercial Services Committee for East Cambridgeshire District Council, Councillor Richard Hobbs, said: “This is a poignant step in the development of the leisure centre and I am thrilled that work is now underway.”

The project has been funded by East Cambridgeshire District Council (ECDC) with the help of a £1.5m Lottery grant from Sport England.

Charles Johnston, Sport England's property director, said: “Sport England is excited to hear that phase one of construction work is now underway at the new Leisure Centre in Ely.

“I am certain that once completed, this new facility will serve the growing community and quickly become the flagship location that local people, of all ages, will visit to take part in sporting activities, and above all, have fun.

“We look forward to the completion of this project and the opening of the Leisure Centre in early 2018.”

When the centre opens in 2018, it will be managed by GLL on behalf of East Cambridgeshire District Council.