Waverley Borough Council has taken an important next step in delivering the new Cranleigh Leisure Centre by signing a Pre-Construction Services Agreement (PCSA) with Willmott Dixon.
This follows the appointment of Willmott Dixon as preferred contractor and approval of a revised project budget earlier this year.
The PCSA marks the start of a detailed planning phase to finalise design, costs and construction approaches ahead of building work.
Work on site is set to begin in early 2027, with the new centre opening in autumn 2028. The council recognises that residents are keen to see progress.
Councillor Liz Townsend, Portfolio Holder for Planning and Development, said: “We know people are eager to see work begin and appreciate the patience it has taken to get to this stage. Signing the PCSA is a key milestone. It allows us to work closely with our contractor to get every detail right before construction starts.”
Managing costs and delivering value
Since the revised budget was approved in March, the project team has been reviewing the scheme through a detailed value engineering process to manage ongoing industry-wide cost pressures while maintaining a high-quality facility. All proposed changes have been independently assessed by external cost consultants Atkins Realis.
Councillor Townsend added:
“This is a major investment in Cranleigh’s future, and it’s vital that we take the time now to deliver a high-quality, energy-efficient facility that will serve the community for decades to come. We are absolutely committed to seeing this project through.”
Richard Poulter, managing director for Willmott Dixon, Construction South, added: “We’re delighted to be partnering with Waverley Borough Council to bring this transformational project to life. Leisure centres are more than just places to exercise, they’re hubs for community wellbeing. Through our focus on sustainability and social value, we’re committed to creating a space that delivers long-lasting benefits for local people.”
Long-term investment in Cranleigh
The new leisure centre will replace the existing 1969 facility, which is no longer viable, and will provide modern leisure facilities for the community while improving the Council’s future financial position by generating an annual income through operator Everyone Active. This is a significant improvement on the current facility, which operates at a loss.
Everyone Active will continue to manage the new leisure centre on behalf of Waverley Borough Council.
Steve Little, Everyone Active Contract Manager said: “We’re proud to be supporting the development of the brand new Cranleigh Leisure Centre – a facility that will put community health and wellbeing at its heart. The new centre will offer something for everyone, from families and children to dedicated fitness enthusiasts, and we look forward to helping bring this exciting vision to life.”
Parking during construction
Parking remains a key concern for residents and businesses. Willmott Dixon has committed to providing a minimum of 100 parking spaces in Village Way car park throughout the construction period, and the council will now work with the contractor to explore opportunities to increase parking provision beyond this minimum.
Waverley Borough Council’s latest data shows that Cranleigh's two main public car parks (Village Way and Stocklund Square) operate at around 50% capacity on average, meaning there are often spare spaces available.
Councillor Townsend said: "This doesn't mean parking won’t be challenging during construction of the new leisure centre - there will be times when demand is high, usually on Market days and Saturday Mornings.
“We recognise how important parking is to Cranleigh and take these concerns extremely seriously. We continue to work with Willmott Dixon to ensure that as many spaces as possible are available. During peak demand periods, we also need to work together with the local community by encouraging those who can to walk or cycle into the village centre, or to avoid peak times where possible, helping to free up spaces for those who need them most.”
“While the construction period will undoubtedly be challenging, the long-term goal is to secure a facility that supports the vitality of Cranleigh for decades to come.”
Further updates will be shared with residents and businesses as the project progresses.
More information and FAQs: www.waverley.gov.uk/clcnewbuild
Image: Visual by GT3 Architects. For illustration only, details may change.
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