Havering Council's latest regeneration project is sure to make a huge splash with residents.

The borough's leisure scene is set to flourish with the £30 million redevelopment of Romford Ice Rink and a brand new swimming pool for the town. Both facilities will be built at the Rom Valley Way site in Romford, along with 500 residential units, including a percentage of affordable housing which will help fund the project.

First Base and Orion Land and Leisure (Orion), the chosen developers for the grand project, will begin work in May 2009 with the new leisure facility set to open its doors in late 2010/early 2011 (subject to planning permission).

Features of Havering's new flagship fitness and leisure centre will include:

• A brand new Olympic size ice rink
  
• A competition 25 metre, 8 lane swimming pool
  
• A learners pool
  
• Sauna and steam facilities
  
• A gymnasium for adults and young people
  
• Dance and fitness studios
  
• Health and beauty facilities

Managing Director of Orion, Jason Fielden, said "We have brought together a team who we believe will help us deliver a superb new leisure facility for the residents of Romford and a contemporary new home for the Romford Raiders. We are also pleased to be providing a new swimming pool in the town centre. There is still much work to be done, but we are hopeful we can make a start on site in the middle of next year."

Leader of the Council, Councillor Michael White, said "These exciting proposals offer something for everyone. I am sure the ice rink and pool will prove to be first class facilities for those who are active in sports and will encourage participation from those who aren't. I have no doubt that the leisure centre will be an important part of Havering's leisure and social scene and will be a superb development of which we can all be proud."

Taken from the London Borough of Havering