Morgan Sindall takes over the West Denton leisure centre project in Newcastle, which had stalled due to rising costs under previous contractor Willmott Dixon.
- Newcastle City Council has announced Morgan Sindall as the new construction partner for the leisure centre project that had escalated in cost from an initial estimate of £22.3m to £34.2m.
- The project, aimed at replacing a closed swimming pool, was delayed following Willmott Dixon’s departure after a mutual agreement over financial constraints.
- Key adjustments to the project scope have been made, such as a slight reduction in swimming pool ceiling height, ensuring minimal impact on design.
- Groundworks for the leisure centre are set to begin soon, with the expected completion in 2026, while the council navigates funding challenges.
Morgan Sindall has been appointed by Newcastle City Council to rejuvenate the stalled West Denton leisure centre project after a 10-month hiatus. Originally managed by Willmott Dixon, the project experienced significant cost increases that led to the previous contractor’s exit. Costs soared from an anticipated £22.3m to £34.2m, largely due to inflation impacting building materials and labour.
The leisure centre project, meant to replace a swimming pool that closed amid the Covid pandemic, had initially been scheduled for completion this summer. Councillor Daniel Greenhough explained that Willmott Dixon departed after mutual agreement, as the firm was unable to meet financial expectations under the pre-construction services agreement (PCSA). Despite these challenges, the council remains committed to its completion.
The updated project plan involves minor scope adjustments, such as lowering the swimming pool’s ceiling height. Councillor Greenhough emphasised that while these changes are small, they are necessary to maintain the project’s viability. He stated: “We welcome that the project is still going to go ahead because other levelling-up projects have had to be pulled following what happened in Ukraine and other cost crises.”
Groundworks for the leisure centre will commence soon, following initial demolition works started last November. The council’s strategy involves leveraging a £19.8m levelling-up funding grant, with extension on fund utilisation now until March 2025. Additionally, £2.5m has been sourced from Sport England, with the council addressing a £7.2m shortfall.
Councillor Abdul Samad reiterated the council’s dedication to the project despite economic hurdles, noting the necessity of engaging Morgan Sindall as a new partner. He remarked: “During the course of the project, we have had to appoint a new construction partner and secure additional sources of funding, but now we have finally got there, the project can get underway.”
The rejuvenated facility is set to include a 25-metre eight-lane swimming pool, a smaller training pool, a sports hall, a gym, a cafe, a children’s play area, and a library. Alex Isted, Morgan Sindall’s area director expressed delight in progressing the project, recognising leisure facilities’ substantial benefit to community health and economic contribution.
Willmott Dixon, through a spokesperson, acknowledged their close work with Newcastle City Council under the PCSA, highlighting their departure was a consequence of unmet budgetary conditions. They expressed a desire to make the project work, given their regional presence, but acknowledged the mutual decision to exit at the project’s first stage.
The West Denton leisure centre project continues under Morgan Sindall, highlighting community resilience amid economic adversity.
