Work began today (Wednesday January 16) on a new swimming pool complex in West London to be used by Britain’s leading swimmers in the run-up to the 2012 Olympic Games.

Commonwealth gold athlete and TV presenter Sharron Davies helped main contractor Leadbitter get the work off to a flying start by cutting the ceremonial first sod to mark the beginning of Hillingdon Council’s £25 million development. 

This exciting design and build scheme at Uxbridge Lido is being undertaken by Leadbitter with a design team headed by leisure specialist Faulkner Brown Architects.  The Client, London Borough of Hillingdon, have employed Atkins as their Employers Agent and PQS.  

Under the scheme the existing, Grade II listed, Uxbridge Lido will be restored and a new state of the art building constructed alongside.  This will house a new 50m swimming pool, health and fitness suite, community sports hall, changing facilities, café and crèche.

Funding for the scheme, which is expected to be completed by the end of 2009, has been provided by London Borough of Hillingdon (£22m), London Development Agency (2.025m), Sport England (£1.5m) and the Heritage Lottery Fund (just under £1m).  

“I am very excited about this fantastic new facility. I love the way it combines the new with the old and it will be a great legacy for the people of west London and the country as a whole,” said Sharron Davies.

“We are very short of quality competition 50m pools, we need more of them to train our up and coming champions of the future towards 2012 as well as looking after the health and fitness of every one of us.”

“We are absolutely delighted to be working with the London Borough of Hillingdon to deliver this important leisure facility,” said Bob Rendell, Group Chief Executive of Leadbitter. 

“This unique development, which combines sensitive restoration of the historic lido with a significant new build, will provide a state of the art, competition standard facility, fit for the 21st century and the Country’s 2012 Olympic training. Hosting the Olympics means a great deal to the Country and we are thrilled to be playing a part in its success as well as enhancing the facilities available for local residents.”

“This development is part of the council’s commitment to provide state of the art leisure facilities in Hillingdon and we look forward to welcoming sporting talent from across London,” added Cllr Henry Higgins, Cabinet member for culture, sport and leisure at Hillingdon Council.

“Our own £22m investment has been supplemented by the London Development Agency, Sport England and the Heritage Lottery Fund and we would like to thank everyone that has shown support for this exciting development. It will be a great community asset and a legacy for future generations.”