Fantastic progress is being made upon Chard’s new leisure centre as part of South Somerset District Council’s Boden Mill regeneration. Work on site resumed safely in April, as contractors were able to return to the site following Covid-19 risk assessments and adoption of new working practices.

As we enter Week 28 of construction, the sheet piling for the swimming pool has been completed and steels have gone up as part of the construction of a modern leisure centre, housing a gym, a 25-metre swimming pool, exercise studios, an adventure play facility, and a café.

Alliance Leisure has been appointed to manage the project under the UK Leisure Framework, and will work alongside building contractor Speller Metcalfe, plus architecture and building consultancy practice AHR.

Julia Goddard, Senior Business Development Manager at Alliance Leisure, says:

“The construction of a leisure centre is the direct result of a number of public consultations. It is fantastic to finally see the bulldozers on site, marking the beginning of a project that will reinvigorate this under-utilised part of the town and encourage a more active, healthy and happy community.”

Councillor Jason Baker, portfolio holder for the Chard Regeneration Scheme and Chairman of Area West Committee, says:

“It’s going to be hugely exciting to see the leisure centre begin to take shape in the coming months and we will be delivering a much-needed and long-awaited project that will encourage not only local communities but visitors to come to Chard.”

This momentous project is due to open in Autumn 2021.