The Pods, a £21m leisure facility opened last summer in Scunthorpe, Lincolnshire, has been shortlisted for the public building of the year accolade at this year's Sustain Awards.

Andrew Wright Associates were behind the concept design of the complex, which was taken forward by S&P Architects and comprised five timber and glazed geodesic dome structures.

Facilities at The Pods include an 85-station, split-level fitness suite; an eight-lane swimming pool and a learner pool; two exercise studios; and a six-court sports hall.

In addition to be shortlisted in the Public Access Building category, The Pods has also been included in the Construction category. It was built by Bowmer and Kirkland.

The project was recognised at the Property Industry Awards Yorkshire last October, while it was also shortlisted in the sport category at the World Architecture Festival Awards 2011.

Ron Wallwork of S&P Architects said: "The building is intended to enhance the natural environment and attract flora and fauna from the park and at the same time providing a modern and needed leisure facility for the town."

Buro Happold and ARCADIS also worked on the scheme. The Sustain Awards will be held at the Hilton Hotel, Canary Wharf in London on 20 March.

To read more from S&P Architects' Ron Wallwork on how The Pods represents a "new departure" in facility design, see Leisure Management 2012 Issue 1, p26

Details: www.northlincs.gov.uk