Representatives from Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council (RMBC), DC Leisure, and its consortium team of Barclays Bank, builders - Willmott Dixon, construction and property consultant - Cyril Sweett Ltd, law firm - Nabarro, and Hooper Architects, were all in attendance to celebrate the visible beginning of this important project. The initiative forms part of the design, build, finance and operation of four leisure facilities in Rotherham.

The PFI project will involve the construction of St Ann’s – Central Rotherham Swimming and Fitness Centre, as well as providing two additional dual-use leisure facilities at Wath and Aston, which are both situated on or adjacent to secondary school campuses. There will also be a multi-million pound development at Maltby, which will include the council’s Joint Service Centre and a new leisure complex.

St Ann’s will incorporate a 25m, six-lane swimming pool with a moveable floor, as well as a 12m leisure/teaching pool complete with a 70m flume. There will also be a six-court sports hall, squash courts, fitness and health suites and the area’s highest and largest climbing wall.

It is anticipated that the majority of building work will be completed by the end of 2008. The contract will run for 32 years from this time.