Impressive drone footage shows progress being made on a new leisure centre in Reading.

Work started at Rivermead Leisure Centre on August 29, and diggers can be seen laying the groundwork for construction in a video taken by flyskydrones@hotmail.com.

Reading Borough Council and their partner Greenwich Leisure Ltd (GLL) have promised a competition-worthy swimming pool, gym and sports hall once the project is complete in Spring 2023.

Read more: Diggers break ground at new leisure centre in Reading

In a statement made when work first began GLL’s partnership manager for Reading Paul Shearman said: “The benefits that the new Rivermead leisure centre and pool will offer the local community are huge.

“The pandemic has highlighted the importance of keeping physically active and maintaining a healthy weight; offering a modern, welcoming, state-of-the-art environment will undoubtedly encourage greater participation.”

The development will form part of a £40m council project, which includes a separate community pool in Palmer Park.

The existing leisure centre will remain open until the new one is completed, but its associated play area was closed today for safety reasons while construction is underway.

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The new Rivermead facilities will include:

• 25m 8 lane competition pool, with moveable pool floor

• Splash pad for younger users

• A combined teaching and diving pool with a moveable floor

• 25m, 5 lane club/swim lesson pool (demountable pool)

• A café, information hub, and soft play

• A 6-court sports hall with 250 spectator seats

• A 120-station gym with 3 studios