Interserve secures £25m Eastleigh leisure centre deal

Support services and construction group Interserve announced a new contract win on Wednesday, having secured a £25m deal to build one of the biggest leisure centres in the south of England.

The FTSE 250 firm said the Fleming Park Leisure Centre in Eastleigh, which is being designed and built by Interserve in collaboration with AHR Architects for Eastleigh Borough Council, is next to an existing leisure facility which will remain in full use during the 85-week construction programme.

Work has already started on the project, which will see the old leisure centre demolished once the new building is complete and handed over.

Interserve said the new centre will contain larger facilities than the old one, including a sports hall with room for 15 badminton courts; an eight-lane, 25-metre swimming pool; a learning pool with adjustable floor depth; three multi-purpose studios and a group spinning studio.

It will also have a crèche and a large soft-play area including party rooms, the company confirmed.

“We are looking forward to delivering a modern and sustainable new leisure centre that will be a focal point for the local community, improving the health and well-being of residents for many generations to come,” said Interserve UK operations director for regional building Richard Ellis.

“As part of the project we will be creating local jobs and using many members of our trusted local supply chain,” he added.

Leader of the Eastleigh Borough Council, Councillor Keith House, said Interserve showed an understanding of the project and was bringing with it a depth of experience in building leisure centres.

“Interserve has a very good knowledge of, and relationship with, the local supply chain and is keen to work with us to ensure the new building achieves economic benefits locally.

“Interserve also wishes to work with us on recycling the old centre and believes it could recycle around 95 per cent of it,” Councillor House explained.

The building will be constructed with a steel frame and pre-stressed concrete floors, while the pool will be made with reinforced concrete.

Externally, it will be clad in brickwork, aluminium and zinc rainscreen, Interserve said.