Work is underway on the first phase of the regeneration of Hengrove Park in Bristol, after Bristol City Council awarded a contract to Wolverhampton-based Tarmac to construct some of the essential infrastructure needed to enable the scheme to progress.

The first phase of the project will see the delivery of the new Healthplex leisure centre, a Skills Academy and a Community Hospital.

Once completed, Bristol City Council expects phase one to secure more than £100m of investment in new public facilities for South Bristol, while retaining around 2,000 jobs in the area.

The £21m leisure centre will be built and operated by Bristol Active and it is expected that construction work will begin during spring 2009.

Facilities will include an Olympic-size, 50m swimming pool, a 100-station health and fitness club, a four-court sports hall, exercise studios and a Healthy Living Zone with a café and créche.

Helen Holland, leader of Bristol City Council, said: “The start of work at Hengrove Park at long last marks the realisation of an ambitious project which will transform South Bristol, making a real difference to the lives of people living and working in the area."

Funding for the regeneration of Hengrove Park has come from The Learning and Skills Council, the Departments of Health and the Department of Culture, Media and Sport with investment into further phases of infrastructure work from the South West of England RDA.