OREANDA-NEWS. Interserve, the international support services and construction group, has won a ?25 million contract to build one of the south of England's biggest leisure developments, the Fleming Park Leisure Centre in Eastleigh.

The centre, which is being designed and built by Interserve in collaboration with AHR Architects for Eastleigh Borough Council, is next to the existing leisure facility that will remain in full use during the 85-week build programme. Work has already started on the project, which will see the old leisure centre will be demolished after the new building is handed over.

The new centre will boast bigger facilities, including a sports hall with room for 15 badminton courts; an eight-lane, 25-metre swimming pool; a learning pool with adjustable floor depth; three multi-purpose studios and a group spinning studio. It will also be family-friendly with a cr?che and a large soft-play area including party rooms.

Interserve's UK Operations Director for Regional Building, Richard Ellis, said:

"We are looking forward to delivering a modern and sustainable new leisure centre that will be a focal point for the local community, improving the health and well-being of residents for many generations to come. As part of the project we will be creating local jobs and using many members of our trusted local supply chain."

Eastleigh Borough Council Leader, Cllr Keith House said:

"Interserve has shown a great understanding of the project and brings with it a depth of experience in building leisure centres. Interserve has a very good knowledge of, and relationship with, the local supply chain and is keen to work with us to ensure the new building achieves economic benefits locally. Interserve also wishes to work with us on recycling the old centre and believes it could recycle around 95 per cent of it."

The building will be constructed with a steel frame and pre-stressed concrete floors, while the pool will be made with reinforced concrete. Externally it will be clad in brickwork, aluminum and zinc rainscreen.