WORK on Bradford’s new £17.5 million cutting-edge leisure centre will start next month.

Construction workers will begin building the new state-of-the-art centre in Sedbergh Playing Fields in Odsal on Monday, April 2.

The new, more energy efficient centre will have a number of modern features including a six lane 25 metre swimming pool with a moveable floor, two exercise studios, a gym, and three sports pitches.

Work has already started at the site felling trees to make way for the development and clear away dead trees and those in a bad condition. Despite this felling, the number of trees on the site will increase.

Cleckheaton-based construction firm ISG will carry out the building work on the sports centre.

Councillor Sarah Ferriby, executive member for environment and sport, said: “Now we have awarded the contract to ISG, the final part of the jigsaw puzzle has been completed and we will see this exciting new development become a reality.

“This much needed new facility will offer the latest facilities in a modern and energy efficient environment.

“We hope this sports centre will inspire more people to get active so they can live a happier, healthier life in the Bradford district.”

Tim Harvey, regional director at ISG, added: “This significant investment at Sedbergh underlines the importance the council places on creating modern and efficient leisure facilities for local communities.

“As a locally based contractor, the community element resonates clearly with us and we are delighted to be bringing our leisure expertise to a project that we know will create such a highly positive legacy for the area.”

As part of the building contract, ISG will carry out continuous community engagement throughout the building process.

It will carry out five workshops in schools and colleges, ten school site visits, 12 work experience placements, 70 apprentice weeks and taking on two new apprentices, and will progress five people into employment.

Design team Rex Procter & Partners, DarntonB3 and Furness Partnership have will be providing project management and engineering consultancy services on the projects, and the sports and leisure specialists have a track record of more than 100 leisure centres completed in the past 30 years.

Joe Deegan, executive director of Rex Procter and Partners, said: “As Bradford based consultants, our involvement in the leisure scheme at Sedbergh is of great significance for us, particularly given its close proximity to our Cleckheaton Road offices.

“Being able to contribute to the enhancements of our local leisure facilities and the welfare of our community is something we support wholeheartedly.

“The proposed leisure centre exhibits modern day design and provides energy efficient facilities with its associated and much needed operational savings.”

The new centre is scheduled to be open in 2019.