WORK on Oswestry's multi-million pound new leisure centre has finally re-started after previous contractors, Frank Galliers Ltd went into liquidation earlier this year.
Northern Ireland based firm, Graham Construction, have been handed the duties of completing the £8 million project after Shropshire Council considered a number of tenders to take on the scheme, and workmen were seen moving equipment onto the site last Monday.
The council had hoped that work on the leisure centre would be completed later this year, but that timescale was thrown into disarray when work stopped in January. Now councillors are hoping the new Shrewsbury Road leisure facility will finally open its doors in late Spring or early Summer next year.
Shropshire Council Cabinet member for Culture and Leisure, Steve Charmley, said: "It is a relief to get things back on track. I do feel sorry for Frank Galliers, but I am glad things are up and running again.
"It has been a long shut down but we have appointed a firm with a good reputation. Graham's have done a lot of work in Scotland and on buildings in Manchester which were all completed on time and within the budget.
"I hope people will be pleased with the end result, and the company will be using the original sub-contractors and local contractors too," he added.
The centre will include a 25-metre swimming pool and fitness suite among a range of other facilities, and will replace the ageing leisure centre on College Road.
Mr Ron Clarke, Operations Director (Building) at Graham Construction, said: "Having successfully constructed a number of leisure centres in the UK, Graham Construction look forward to completing the new Lifestyle Leisure Centre at Oswald Park which will provide an excellent new facility for the local community in Oswestry and for the people of Shropshire.
"Working closely with Shropshire Council's team and local sub-contractors and suppliers we will ensure the delivery of this much-anticipated project as quickly as possible," he added.