Milestone for Leisure Centre as developers celebrate topping out

Traditionally held to bring good luck to a new building as the topmost beam is hoisted into place, the topping out ceremony was carried out by Selby Council with contractors’, Wates Construction.

The origins of ‘topping out’ harp back to pagan traditions where a tree-dwelling spirits would hopefully be appeased by the placing of a yew tree branch at the highest point. In keeping with tradition – and with the hope that the new centre enjoys better luck that the one it replaces – Wates presented the Council with a yew tree to mark the occasion.

Selby Leisure Centre is being part-funded by a £2m Sport England lottery grant and work began in February earlier this year. When complete, the new centre will include a six-lane 25m swimming pool and a learner pool, a studio gym, sauna and steam rooms and an outdoor all-weather sports pitch.

The new centre is now planned for opening in early 2015. This marks a slight slip in the previous schedule that would have seen the centre open for Christmas this year.

Phil Harrison, Managing Director, Wates Construction North, commented: “This milestone demonstrates the efficient progress we are making with the construction of Selby Leisure Centre as we work towards an on time on budget completion in the new year. We are very proud of the role we are playing in the creation of this new facility which is poised to provide an invaluable community resource for the people of Selby.”

Cllr Gillian Ivey, Deputy Leader of the Council, added: “This ceremony is a major milestone as we work to deliver a fantastic new leisure centre for our residents. I hope that we can show everyone that the day when they can start to enjoy the state of the art facilities is now significantly closer.”

The centre's completion will be seen as a significant milestone for Selby, drawing to a close a period of just under two years since the town lost its pool and leisure facilities in the fire of February 2013.