Willmott Dixon wins £40.2m Sheffield leisure centre contract
Sheffield City Council has appointed Willmott Dixon to design and build the Uriah Rennie Leisure Centre alongside the existing Springs facility, which will remain open during construction.
By Construction desk · 7 Oct 2026 · Sheffield
Willmott Dixon has secured a £40.2m contract to design and build a replacement leisure centre for Sheffield City Council, with the new facility expected to be completed in summer 2028.
The contractor was appointed on 30 September to deliver the Uriah Rennie Leisure Centre on land next to the existing Springs Leisure Centre. The location will allow the current facility to remain open while its replacement is built.
According to Construction News, the contract programme runs from 9 November 2026 to 5 March 2029. The council’s stated summer 2028 completion expectation for the new building therefore falls before the end of the overall contract programme.
The scheme will provide a five-court sports hall, a six-lane, 25-metre swimming pool and a learner pool. Plans also include health and fitness gyms, a wellbeing spa and health suite, studio spaces and soft play facilities.
A café and social space will form part of the development, alongside a wellbeing hub and space for community and health activities. The council said the centre would also have a four-rink indoor bowls hall, with the construction scope including competition-standard indoor bowls facilities.
Willmott Dixon’s work will cover wet and dry changing facilities and a pool viewing area, as well as provision of the swimming pool plant. These sit alongside the sports, fitness and wellbeing facilities specified for the replacement centre.
The council’s plans also provide for increased parking, including accessible spaces, and cycle parking. The replacement building and associated facilities will be delivered before the existing leisure centre is demolished.
Demolition of Springs Leisure Centre forms part of the project, with permeable paving to replace its footprint once the old building has been removed. This sequence will retain the existing facility during construction of the new centre.
Sheffield City Council published the contract award notice on 6 October. Construction News reported the award on 7 October 2026, citing Contracts Finder and the council.