Aquatics centre will be one of the showpiece venues for 2022 games
Wates has landed one of the blue riband deals at the upcoming 2022 Commonwealth Games with a £50m contract to build the aquatics centre.
The centre will replace the Londonderry Playing Fields in Smethwick and will stage the swimming and diving competitions for the event which is being hosted in nearby Birmingham. It will feature an Olympic-sized competition swimming pool, a 25m diving pool, plus 5,000 spectator seats.
Earlier this year, Sandwell council revealed it planned to use the Scape framework to build the centre, which Building understands carries a value of up to £50m.
Last year, Wates won the lot covering the second most valuable tier of projects, worth between £10m-£50m, while Lendlease won the lot covering jobs worth more than £50m.
The centre, which will be run by Sandwell Leisure Trust, will also include two activity studios, a 12-court sports hall, a gym, a ladies-only gym, an indoor cycling studio, a sauna and a cafe. It will also include green space and play facilities.
Wates declined to comment while Sandwell council has been contacted for comment.
Last month, Birmingham-based demolition specialist DSM Demolition began work on the site of the Birmingham Commonwealth Games village.
The former Birmingham City University site will be home to 6,000 athletes during the 2022 Games.
It is part of a wider housing programme in the Perry Barr region of the city that is expected to deliver up to 3,000 new homes in the area.
A contractor for the £350m development is due to be appointed soon.
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