THE foundations are being laid as progress on Chard’s new swimming pool continues.

Work resumed safely in April on the site as contractors were able to return to the site following Covid-19 risk assessments and adoption of new working practices.

The impact of Covid-19 has caused to some delays in the progress of construction work, South Somerset District Council has admitted.

The contractors on site are working hard to ensure that the new facility will open in autumn 2021.

Progress is continuing to be made on the construction of a new leisure centre at the Boden Mill site in Chard.

The current work has seen sheet piling for the swimming pool now completed, and workers starting to pile the foundations for the main building.

This initial work will include a modern leisure centre with a five-lane swimming pool, learner pool, gym and soft play centre.

Cllr Jason Baker is SSDC’s portfolio holder for the Chard Regeneration Scheme, the chairman of Area West Committee, and the mayor of Chard.

He said: “It’s going to be hugely exciting to see the leisure centre begin to take shape in the coming months and we will be delivering a much-needed and long-awaited project that will encourage not only local communities but visitors to come to Chard.

“We have been able to step in and provide a new facility in the town following the closure of the Cresta pool by Somerset County Council.

“It is quite right that we take a close look at the impact of coronavirus and plan for the future while committing to doing whatever we can to continue to fund improvements in our town centres.

“This sort of work is going to be so crucial to the recovery of local businesses and the economy.

“This is why we are urging the Government to fairly fund SSDC to ensure that our communities are not unfairly hit by the impact of Coronavirus as district councils lead the economic recovery of the region.”

SSDC is currently calling on the Government to ensure it is fairly funded for its additional work during Covid-19.

But this will not have any impact on the delivery of Phase 1 of the Chard Regeneration Project, the district council has promised.