Building of the new East Cambridgeshire District Leisure Centre in Ely can begin after Sport England approved a £1.5 million lottery award.
The grant acts as the last piece of the funding puzzle which means the building of the sports centre can finally go ahead.
The £13.6 million centre was given the green light by East Cambridgeshire District Council in June, subject to the funding from Sport England.
The money will come from Sport England’s Strategic Facility Fund, which offers investment to local authorities looking to improve their sports facilities.
Councillor Richard Hobbs, chairman of commercial services at the council, said: “We are thrilled to receive support from Sport England, which as a result means that we can deliver a top class leisure facility for East Cambridgeshire.
“This funding is pivotal for the progression of the centre and I look forward to the work commencing in due course.”
The Downham Road centre will replace the city-centre Paradise Centre Pools and will include an eight-lane 25 metre swimming pool, a 120-station health and fitness suite, two activity studios, a four court sports hall and a 3g artificial grass pitch.
London-based contractors Pellikaan are to be brought in to oversee the build, before GLL Sport Foundation takes over once it is completed in early 2018.
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