Minsthorpe Leisure

Project value: £5.5m

Sector: Leisure

Local spend within 20 miles: 42%

Local labour within 20 miles: 75%

Apprenticeships created: 35

Waste diverted from landfill: 99%

Considerate Constructor: Bronze Award Winning Site

Wakefield Council worked closely with the site team throughout the project and recognised the benefits of the SCAPE process in ensuring full collaboration from the outset. We are valued as a customer and Willmott Dixon demonstrated that by going the extra mile."

Kov Bahadori

Leisure Operations Manager (Sport & Culture) | Wakefield Council

A new swimming pool to support the health of the community.

The new Minsthrope Leisure Centre has improved health outcomes for the local community.

The facility provides a 25 metre, six-lane swimming pool, studio space and a 60 station air-conditioned gym.

The swimming area offers activities for people of all ages and abilities, including those who want to learn to swim, as well as those who want to use water space to keep fit and active.

The old Minsthorpe Pool closed in 2013 after an inspection revealed it needed major repairs and maintenance work . Its closure sparked a campaign from Minsthorpe Pool Action Group (MPAG) for a new facility on the site of the old one.

A spokesperson said: “MPAG are extremely excited that we are on the verge of getting a new swimming pool in the area after a long five years since the original facility closed.”

The centre needed to attract over 1000 members in order to be financially viable. It therefore needed to be delivered on budget but with sufficient service offerings to attract membership.

The centre was opened on 15 March 2018, having been handed over on-time and on budget and defect free. Max Litchfield, a 2016 Olympian, made the inaugural swim in the centre’s new pool during the official opening having learnt how to swim in the old Minsthrope Pool as a child.

Wakefield Council leader Coun Peter Box, who will open the centre, said:

“These guys are a real inspiration and will hopefully encourage a new generation of local swimmers and athletes who will now have a high quality, modern leisure facility to help develop their skills.”

Over one thousand people signed up for membership at the new leisure centre in the first month of operation.

There are now more than 2300 members signed up and over 100,000 uses of the facility in the first 12 months.

Councillor Jacquie Speight, Cabinet Member for Culture, Leisure and Sport at Wakefield Council, said:

“Minsthorpe Leisure is a fantastic facility and it’s great to see how much it is already valued by the local community who are enjoying everything it has to offer.

“The construction project has gone very well and the contractor has had a positive impact on the local community, bringing jobs and investment to this area.”

During the construction period, Willmott Dixon embarked on an initiative to refurbish a local Youth club in South Emsall, known locally as “The Shed”.

Large parts of the building on Carlton Road, South Elmsall were replaced, including new windows, a ceiling and lighting, as well as decorating and improving toilet facilities.

Councillor Jacquie Speight, Cabinet Member for Culture, Leisure and Sport at Wakefield Council, said:

"We are delighted to see our contractor is investing in the local community as The Shed is a popular place which is well used by young people and highly valued in the community."

Andrew Hurcomb, operations director at Willmott Dixon Yorkshire, said:

"It is great to be working with Wakefield Council and the team to deliver a new leisure centre through the SCAPE framework, which will be a fantastic community asset supporting the health and wellbeing agenda. As a family owned business we want to ensure we maximise the local community benefits during the construction phase such as local employment and giving 'The Shed' youth centre at South Elmsall a much needed makeover."

100%

SME spend

100%

SME engagement

9.25/10

Client satisfaction