WORK is under way on a new £10 million leisure centre in Preston, Tadworth.
The facility, which will feature a 25-metre six-lane swimming pool plus a 60-station gym and sports hall, is set to be completed by next summer.
On Monday, construction firm Pellikaan moved on to the site off Merland Rise and work will begin with the demolition of the existing Tattenham Community Centre and the building of a new access road.
Councillor Natalie Bramhall, Reigate and Banstead Borough Council's executive member for property and regeneration hailed the start of the work.
She said: "It's really exciting that we'll soon start to see things happening on site after all the planning."
The new centre is a joint project with Surrey County Council, whose cabinet member for business services, Denise Le Gal, said: "Improving Surrey as a place to live and work is what we're all about, so it's exciting that this work is getting started."
A competition was recently held to find a name for the new leisure centre and the winner is set to be announced next month.
During the construction, Pellikaan staff will also be making – as yet unspecified – changes to the Merland Rise Recreation Ground next door.
Cllr Bramhall added: "We have Pellikaan's assurance that they will keep disruption to a minimum and we apologise in advance for any inconvenience residents may experience while we make these improvements to their community, but the end result will be well worth it."
Affected areas will be cordoned off during the work to ensure public safety.
