First look at emerging designs for Peterborough’s new swimming pool
Following the announcement last year that a new swimming pool had been earmarked for the city, Peterborough City Council and its partners have been working at pace to move the development forward.
To this end, a new council website – Peterborough’s Leisure Development – has been unveiled showcasing how far along the plans for the highly anticipated new leisure centre now are.
Here’s what we now know:
Emerging designs
The website showcases a number of the developing designs that have been integrated into the project following feedback from local public surveys.
The ground floor general layout shows the eight-lane 25-metre pool, a 20-metre learner pool, viewing areas, a play facility for families, a café, changing rooms (including disability changing places), and public health and community spaces.
The designs for the first floor general layout highlight spectator seating, exercise studios, and a full fitness suite (including assisted fitness facilities).
The floors are connected by both stairs and a lift.
Location
The new pool and leisure development is set to be built next to the athletics track and south of the university, linking the building in with the Embankment.
According to the website: “This site was chosen due to its connectivity to other leisure facilities and university, the available footprint and because its positioning will preserve views over the cathedral from the embankment.“
A planning application for the development is due to be submitted in July.
Funding
With central government providing £20million in funding toward the project from its Growth Mission Fund, more than half of the anticipated costs of the development have already been secured.
The website states that: “The council continues to look for ways to attract additional funding, however [we] will fund the remainder if required.”
Opening date?
If planning is approved in summer 2026, it is envisaged construction will begin in early 2027, with completion scheduled by autumn 2028.
Residents who would like to find out more about Peterborough’s new leisure development can drop-in to Sand Martin House on Tuesday May 19, when it will be possible to view detailed plans and speak to the design team behind the project between 10am and 7pm.
You can also visit https://peterborough-leisure.co.uk/