Work starts on South Woodham Ferrers pool site

Work has got underway on the South Woodham Ferrers swimming pool project in Chelmsford.

The £4m project is being built at the William de Ferrers Centre and will be linked to the existing joint-use sports facilities by a new entrance. The scheme also includes an extension to the existing fitness room and a new floodlit multi-use games area as well as the 25m, six-lane swimming pool.

Due for completion in the autumn 2004, more than half the capital cost of the project has been met by a grant from the Sport England Lottery Fund, with the remainder being paid by the South Woodham Ferrers Pool Partnership Steering Group. The group consists of Chelmsford Borough Council, South Woodham Ferrers Town Council, Essex County Council and the William de Ferrers School, which contributed the land.

The first sod was turned at the site at the end of September by Mayor Chelmsford, Councillor Hunnable.

The new building, designed by Nottingham-based William Saunders Partnership, will be operated by Chelmsford Borough Council.