Redevelopments of Reading leisure centres continue to make strides, with updates on both Palmer Park and Rivermead.

Reading Borough Council have invested more than £40m to improve leisure facilities in the town, with two new swimming pools under work.

Work started on Palmer Park on 2 August, with a new 25m, six lane pool and 100-station gym under development.

It is expected to re-open to the public in late 2022.

Following the construction of the pool frame, the next event will be the installation of the new pool roof and the replacement of the existing stadium roof.

This work will take place from the end of April 2022 for around six months, until autumn 2022.

Reading Chronicle:

Above: Steel structure at Palmer Park (credit: Reading Borough Council)

 

Reading Chronicle:

Above: Early signs of new pool at Palmer Park (credit: Reading Borough Council)

 

Development company, Pelikaan, have released new images of the work.

They revealed that the steel structure is almost complete.

They also said that they expect to start the first floor and roof work before the end of the month.

Meanwhile, the work at Rivermead is also on track to be complete for spring 2023.

Split into two phases, phase one will see the new leisure centre built on the eastern side of the main existing leisure centre car park.

Phase two will see the demolition of the existing facility in order to make way for a new car park and play area.

Reading Chronicle:

Above: Concreting sports hall (Credit: Reading Borough Council)

Reading Chronicle:

Above: Early construction at Rivermead (Credit: Reading Borough Council)

Reading Chronicle:

Above: Lift shaft being installed at Rivermead (credit: Reading Borough Council)

 

The final design will see a 25m, eight lane pool, a splash pad for younger swimmers, a new teaching and diving pool, a six-court sports hall and 120-station gym.

Some progress photos taken today (25 January 2022) show the first slab pour of 160m3 of concrete to the sports hall floor.

Construction team, Pellikaan, have installed nearly 600 piles in the ground; not only to support the new structure but also for excavating the diving pool and main pool.

In early March, the steel frame for the main structure will arrive and the building itself will take shape.

South Reading Lesiure Centre and Meadway Sports Centre are also set to receive funding, with work yet to start on the latter.

 

Click here to find out more about the redevelopments at Reading leisure centres.