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A new low-carbon leisure centre incorporating the latest energy efficiency technologies will provide residents of Epping with their own swimming pool, learner pool, sports hall, fitness gym and studio.
Fantastic for the district
Councillor Nigel Avey, portfolio holder responsible for contracts was delighted to present the report for agreement, said:
This is fantastic for the district and especially for Epping.
Epping Forest District councillors agreed to appoint Places Leisure in partnership with contractor Pellikaan Construction Ltd to build the new £33 million leisure centre in Bakers Lane.
State-of-the-art community facility
Dan Walker Business Development Director, Places Leisure welcomed the cabinet decision, said:
We are delighted to develop the next stage of our partnership with Epping Forest District Council, and we look forward to welcoming local residents to this state-of-the-art community facility.
A milestone in sustainable development
Epping Leisure Centre will enhance the health and wellbeing of local residents. It will boost the local economy, providing new jobs as well as attracting more people to local shops and businesses. The new swimming pools will be a first for Epping. The new centre will have the highest standards of accessibility.
Epping Leisure Centre will be the most environmentally sustainable leisure centre in the district. Ground or air source heat pumps combined with the highest standards of insulation will make Epping Forest Leisure Centre one of the most environmentally friendly facilities in the region.
Multi-million-pound investment
The new leisure centre is part of the multi-million-pound investment by Epping Forest District Council in Epping. Finding a suitable site has proved difficult. Construction of the leisure centre is being made possible by the development of the new car park with more capacity in Cottis Lane to balance the loss of car parking in Bakers Lane.
Meanwhile the Conder Building off Epping High Street has now been cleared to make way for new residential development. Further homes will be built on the old school and depot sites in St Johns. The last phase of development will see the old sports centre replaced by new housing in Hemnall Street, as soon as the new leisure centre is completed.
Another big step forward
Councillor Chris Whitbread, Leader of Epping Forest District Council said:
Having lived in Epping all my life, better leisure facilities, especially a swimming pool have been asked for a long time – probably 50 years!
The council’s budget meeting enabled the funding and tonight was another big step forward with our partners Places Leisure and Pellikaan who delivered our new centre in Waltham Abbey.
Despite rising cost of construction, I was delighted that the cabinet was able to support my ward colleagues Holly Whitbread and Les Burrows in taking this project forward.
Work is expected to start on site in Epping as soon as Cottis Lane carpark is completed in the summer. Epping Leisure Centre could be open 2 years from now in 2025.
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