'We are one step closer': Bransbury Park reaches huge milestone with swimming pool structure complete

The completion of main structural work at Bransbury Park’s main pool marks a major milestone in the multi-million pound project which will come equipped with a GP surgery.

The completion of the pool shells mark a huge step forward in the development of the new centre, which will provide residents with access to swimming, fitness and healthcare facilities together in one location. Bransbury Park leisure centre will include a swimming pool, learner pool, gym, fitness studios and GP surgery, helping create a modern community facility for local residents.

The site has changed dramatically over recent months, with construction teams excavating the pools, installing extensive underground pipework and balance tanks, and pouring the concrete structures that form both pools. Now the pool structures have been completed, the project will turn its attention to the main building which will house the modern facilities.

The milestone means visitors can now clearly see the scale and layout of the future swimming facilities which will play a central role in the new centre. The News previously reported that the swimming pool has cost an extra £696,000, prompting the city council to cancel projects and dip into reserve funds to plug the funding gap. Visible developments have also been made to the framework of the main building, with the tallest section reaching its full height.

Councillor Steve Pitt, leader of Portsmouth City Council, said:"The completion of the pool structures is a significant achievement for the Bransbury Park project and brings us another step closer to providing modern, high-quality facilities that will benefit residents for years to come.

"The new centre will create opportunities for people of all ages to be active, learn to swim, improve their health and wellbeing, and enjoy sport close to home.

“It is absolutely incredible to see the progress here in less than six month into the project and you can now see how the spaces are going t be used. It’s really exciting and it’s a national first to have a GP surgery and leisure centre in one space.”

To celebrate the progress of the project, representatives from Portsmouth City Council, NHS Hampshire and Isle of Wight, local healthcare partners, Willmott Dixon, Mace and BH Live gathered on site on Thursday, September 24.

During the visit, partners were able to see where the new GP surgery will be located within the centre. The combination of an NHS medical practice and a leisure centre is an innovative approach to healthcare and wellbeing.

Dr Rajesh Bhateja, and his team, will be relocating from their current surgery, Devonshire Practice, once Bransbury Park is complete at the end of next year, where they will treat upwards of 5,000 patients from the new site.

He said: “I’m quite excited about this because currently we are Devonshire which is not fit for purpose anymore - the consultation rooms are not good, there is no lift and the building is quite old but this is a new purpose built building so it will help and serve patients, and there will be a great leisure centre by the side of the surgery. This will help patients struggling with their weight because we can tell them to go the gym and there will be some sort of voucher for memberships, I’m sure.

“A lot of our patients are excited and my team are really looking forward to come here to provide for the patients. It’s interesting to see how things are being built and walk around the site.”

James Roach, Director for Neighbourhood Health at NHS Hampshire and Isle of Wight, said: “I am very pleased to see the progress being made at Bransbury Park. It is so important that we ensure healthcare services are sustainable and at the heart of our communities and this development has that aim at its core. We can be proud of what is a real neighbourhood health centre for the local population.”

The new centre forms part of the council's ongoing investment in sports and leisure facilities across the city and will provide a welcoming destination for swimming, fitness, health and community activities.

Richard Poulter, managing director of Willmott Dixon Construction South, which is building the centre on behalf of Portsmouth City Council, said: “This milestone is a reflection of the hard work and dedication of everyone involved in the delivery of this project, that will enhance the local health and wellbeing in Bransbury.

“At Willmott Dixon, we have extensive experience in delivering successful leisure centres across the country and we are enjoying bringing our experience to Bransbury Leisure Centre, working collaboratively with the Council to provide a modern and accessible facility serving generations to come. I am looking forward to seeing the continued progress on this project.”