THE NEW Bewsey and Dallam hub will include a £800,000 pool, it has been confirmed.

A dual-use learning and hydrotherapy pool will be included at the Longshaw Street hub, which is currently under construction.

It comes courtesy of a £450,000 National Lottery grant from Sport England’s improvement fund plus £350,000 funding from Warrington Borough Council and NHS Warrington Clinical Commissioning Group’s Better Care Fund.

Emma Hutchinson, managing director of Livewire, said: “We are thrilled to have secured funding from Sport England and the Better Care Fund to allow us to provide a dual-use community pool in the hub.

“Our consultation exercises showed overwhelming support for a swimming pool in the area so it’s fantastic to be able to provide residents with facilities they need.”

The £2.4m hub will also feature a fitness suite, health care services, community spaces and a library and is due for completion in summer 2017.

Cllr Tony Higgins, executive board member for leisure, community and culture, said: “This great new facility is being developed thanks to coordinated work led by the council, Golden Gates Housing Trust and Livewire.

“The hub will make a real difference to the Bewsey and Dallam areas and will bring together services in one place that will make a difference to the lives of people in the area and beyond.

“It builds on investment the council and partners have already made in Bewsey and Dallam, including a new games area and football pitches on Dallam playing fields, investment into Bewsey Meadows and a new play area adjacent to St Mark’s.

“It also links to the planned investment in Harrison Square and the Harrison Centre along with improvement to Hawleys Lane junction and Longshaw Street.”