Council signs contract for new family leisure centre

· by · in Environment and Regeneration, Leisure and sport, Regeneration. ·

Merton Council signed a contract with Pellikaan Construction Ltd today (22 June 2017), to build a new family leisure centre for Morden.

(Seated, l-r): Gert-Jan Peeters, Richard van Emmerik (Pellikaan); Chris Lee (Merton Council) with (standing l-r) Cllr Stephen Alambritis and Cllr Nick Draper

Company directors Gert-Jan Peeters and Richard van Emmerik signed on behalf of Pellikaan and Merton Council’s director of environment and regeneration Chris Lee signed on behalf of the council. Leader of Merton Council Councillor Stephen Alambritis and cabinet member for community and culture Councillor Nick Draper met them at the civic centre in Morden for the signing and to welcome the company to the borough.

Started in 1947, Pellikaan specialises in design and build construction of sports and leisure  buildings and is set to start building Morden Leisure Centre within the next month. Over the decades, the company has accrued considerable experience in building leisure centres both in the UK and overseas. The centre is scheduled to open in autumn 2018.

The council has planned the construction so that the current Morden Park Pool will stay open and up and running until the new leisure centre is open. Leisure customers will always have sports facilities throughout the works. Once the new leisure centre is ready, the site of Morden Park Pool will be returned to open green space.

Artist’s impression of Morden Leisure Centre

Merton Council cabinet member for community and culture Councillor Nick Draper said: “These are exciting times for Morden. We’ve worked hard to secure a good deal for our residents. This new leisure centre will serve local families, schools and swimming clubs for generations to come. It is a pleasure to welcome Pellikaan to Merton today for the contract signing and I am looking forward to seeing the work begin on site shortly. The new centre will cost us less to maintain in the long term than the current old building so this development is good news for council tax payers as well as for all those who want to keep fit and healthy.”

Director of Pellikaan, Richard van Emmerik said: “We are looking forward to starting work in Merton. Morden Leisure Centre will be a great project to work on as we deliver a modern family-friendly leisure facility for the people of the borough.”

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