Next phase of £36m swimming pool up for approval

The construction of a new swimming pool in Peterborough could take a step forward if the city council approves a pre-build contract.

Plans to build a 25m (82ft) eight-lane pool were approved in October, subject to funding. In November, the government said it would contribute £20m.

Planning officers have recommended that Alliance Leisure receive a £1.8m contract to commission pre-construction phases, including designs.

The recommendation will go before Labour-led Peterborough City Council's cabinet at a meeting on Tuesday afternoon.

The council's head of communities, Ian Phillips, said Alliance Leisure has "a strong history of delivering leisure centre developments on behalf of local authorities".

If appointed, it would act as "an end-to-end development and delivery partner...[and] assemble and manage a multidisciplinary team to deliver the project and provide leisure-specific expertise", he said in his report to the council.

Phillips has also recommended full council should approve the addition of almost £2.2m to the capital programme for 2025 to 26 towards the pre-construction costs.

The report sets out various fees, including the Alliance Leisure contract, which forms part of the estimated £35.5m build costs.

If approval is given and timelines are stuck to, Peterborough's new swimming pool could open by 2028.

It is designed to replace the city's 1970s Regional Pool, which was bulldozed due to structural issues.

The new complex would include a 20m (65ft) four-lane learner pool with moveable floor, seating for 300 people, a café, soft play centre, health suite and community rooms.

Phillips said a grant from the government's growth mission fund is "subject to the council submitting a full business plan, which is currently being developed and expected to be submitted in February 2026".

The council would work closely with the Department of Business and Trade on a business case and expects to have a decision in April or May, he added.

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