Borough councillors have chosen the company who built the new Horley leisure centre to build a new £10 million leisure, community and youth centre in Tadworth.
Pellikaan Construction Limited has been chosen by Reigate and Banstead Borough Council to build the new complex in Preston.
The company has completed more than 900 leisure centre projects across Europe, including the London Planning Award-winning Glass Mill Leisure Centre, The Netherlands' most energy-efficient swimming pool in Zwolle, and several David Lloyd Leisure Centres in the UK and abroad.
Its work on the £9 million Horley leisure centre also impressed borough councillors.
That opened in January 2012, replacing the old Horley Anderson Centre off Court Lodge Road.
Boasting such features as a 25-metre six-lane swimming pool, teaching pool, fitness gym with 45 exercise stations, and a four-court multi-use sports hall, it won a prestigious Green Apple Award from the Built Environment and Architectural Heritage for its positive contribution to the built environment. Almost carbon neutral in its operation, its range of sustainability measures include a biomass heating system which uses locally sourced wood chips to heat the air and water, supplying 75% to 100% of the building's heating need. It is one of the only leisure centres in the country with an integrated biomass boiler. Other features include 105 roof-mounted photovoltaic panels, thermal pool covers which reduce water heating costs by 30%, and natural ventilation, reducing the use of mechanical systems. Around 90% of the demolition materials from the school buildings that previously occupied the site, and waste wood products generated during construction, were reclaimed or recycled, as well as a lot of the masonry.
At Preston, as well as building the new facilities, the £10.26 million contract includes constructing a new access road, making improvements to Merland Rise Recreation Ground and demolishing the old community centre.
Construction is expected to start in the spring and be complete in autumn 2015.
The new centre will feature a 25-metre six-lane swimming pool with ramped access, teaching pool, 50-station gym, and other facilities including a four-court sports hall, four five-a-side football pitches and space for community activities.
Borough council executive member for property and regeneration, Natalie Bramhall, said: “It is fantastic news for local residents that the exciting new facilities they’ve been promised will soon be a reality, improving the local area and making it a better place to live.
“Pellikaan Construction is an extremely experienced contractor with an impressive track record, including our own Horley Leisure Centre, and I am looking forward to seeing work start on site.” Richard van Emmerik from Pellikaan Construction, said: "We are pleased to be working with Reigate and Banstead Council again. “Our team is already in full swing preparing the works and will ensure that another great centre will be realised for the community.” The new facilities, which are a joint venture with Surrey County Council, will be built off Merland Rise, on part of the recreation ground and Banstead Athletic Football Club's former training pitch. The old Tattenham Community Centre will be demolished in the spring to allow the access road and facilities to be built.
The Banstead Leisure Centre will remain open until the new centre is complete and is currently scheduled for demolition in autumn 2015.
The site is being sold to Croudace Homes to be redeveloped for housing. Part of the money from the land sale will help to fund the new facilities.
A borough council spokeswoman said expressions of interest were received from 25 companies, and three tenders were received from the five companies short-listed and invited to tender.
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