Complete construction partner Stepnell has successfully completed the main structural phase of the new £11.3m leisure centre at Stychbrook Park, Lichfield, marking a significant milestone in the project.
The community facility is set to open in December 2025 and a ‘topping out’ ceremony was held recently, with Double Olympic gold medallist Rebecca Adlington OBE marking the occasion.
The centre, which replaces the ageing Friary Grange Sports Centre, will feature a 25-metre, six-lane swimming pool, an 80-station gym, modern spin and dance studios, a community room, and an outdoor 3G pitch with updated changing facilities.
The project was procured through the Procure Partnerships Framework, with Stepnell appointed by Lichfield District Council as the complete design and build construction partner.
Tom Wakeford, Managing Director at Stepnell, said: “We are incredibly proud to be delivering the Lichfield leisure centre. It’s fantastic to see the vision for this state-of-the-art facility truly coming together.
“Our team has worked diligently to ensure the project progresses well, and we’re excited for the community to benefit from this fantastic new centre.”
Stepnell has been actively engaging with the local community throughout the build, including collaborations with students from Chase Terrace Academy and sourcing materials from local suppliers to support the regional economy.
The team has maintained ongoing communication with the local community throughout the build, engaging in monthly newsletters, drop-in sessions, and dedicated site noticeboards.
Councillor Doug Pullen, Leader of Lichfield District Council, speaking at the event, commented: “Today isn’t just about concrete and steel — it’s a celebration of how far we’ve come as a community in creating a leisure centre we can all be proud of. Thank you to everyone involved in making this possible.”
Adrian Turner, Director of Client Success at ReCreation, the specialist leisure consultancy guiding the development, added: “The project is progressing superbly and remains on schedule and budget. We are proud to support Lichfield District Council in delivering a modern facility designed to inspire and support community health and wellbeing for years to come.”
Alongside Stepnell, the project team includes Box Architects, civil and structural engineers Adept, and building services consultants BWB Consulting.
