Work on controversial Wilson Sports Village project set to restart

Work on the construction of the controversial Wilson Sports Village in Clayton-Le-Moors will start again later this month.

Hyndburn Council has announced a new contractor to complete the flagship £12.6 million project has been appointed after the original builder ISG went into administration last year.

The project will now be completed by Universal Civils and Build, who have been appointed by Alliance Leisure, the local authority’s development partner.

Building was progressing well at the site with the steel framework completed in July but came to a halt on September 20 when the lead contractor ISG went into administration.

Work, which is about 45 per cent complete, is scheduled to restart on January 27 after the new contractor took over the site earlier this week.

The site came back into Hyndburn Council control on September 27, since then the authority and Alliance Leisure have been working to get construction restarted.

The scheme involves demolishing an existing clubhouse and replacing it with a new sports centre accommodating a four-lane 25 metre swimming pool, a fitness suite, sauna and steam room, group exercise studio, cafe, large changing village and dedicated changing facilities that will service teams using its outdoor sports fields.

It created great controversy when first proposed and generated114 objections to the planning application.

Great Harwood residents and councillors led opposition to the project on Wilsons Playing Field over the associated permanent closure of the swimming pool in the township’s Mercer Hall.

Richard Lowe, managing director of Universal Group said: “We are excited to be appointed to complete the Wilson Sports Village project.

“Our Civils and Build division has vast experience in the leisure industry.

“We look forward to getting started.”

Cllr Munsif Dad, leader of Hyndburn Council said: “I am delighted the council have been able to appoint a new contractor to complete this project.

“The collapse of ISG earlier this year was hugely disappointing and concerning.

“Wilson Sports Village is a significant project for the people of Hyndburn.

“It is vital that we are able to see it through.”

Hyndburn Council’s Conservative opposition group leader Cllr Zak Kan said: “Of course, the appointment of a new contractor was necessary to prevent any further delays to the project.

“My biggest concern is the way the Labour administration has appointed the contractor.”

Tom Gardner, from Alliance Leisure, said: “Despite the challenges faced following ISG’s administration, we have worked diligently with the council and Universal Group to ensure the scheme restarts promptly.

“We are committed to delivering the scheme to the same high specification originally planned.”

The development is being delivered in partnership with Sport England who are investing £2.4m into the project.