Council insist work on Halifax's new leisure centre is on track despite setback over construction firm

Demolition work is still to begin on the leisure centre at North Bridge, but the council insists that the scheme is still progressing, despite building firm McLaughlin & Harvey now not being involved in the project.

Coun Jane Scullion, Calderdale Council’s Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Strategy, said: “Our ambitious project to create a brand new, top-class leisure centre and swimming pool in Halifax is still on track.

"The initial works on site, to prepare for the construction phase, are continuing as planned.

"This includes carrying out surveys and moving the water mains before the demolition stage is due to start in late September. It’s exciting to see this major project progressing, to provide state-of-the-art, sustainable facilities for Calderdale’s diverse communities and to help boost their health and wellbeing.

“We are aware of the volatile construction market, so we are constantly reviewing costings and the delivery programme to ensure the project stays on track.

“We are delivering the new leisure centre through the UK Leisure Framework.

"Alliance Leisure, our development management partner, is contracting the construction and delivery teams directly. McLaughlin & Harvey is no longer the construction contractor for the scheme, and Alliance Leisure is progressing the contract with another construction partner, which is expected to be finalised in the next few weeks.

“The project will continue to progress as planned, complementing the rest of the unprecedented investment into Halifax over the next decade.”

A spokesperson for McLaughlin & Harvey commented: “McLaughlin & Harvey is a construction partner on the UK Leisure Framework and was working directly through Alliance Leisure on this project. We can confirm that we are no longer working on this project and Alliance Leisure is seeking a new construction contractor from the framework to partner on the scheme.”