The event followed the Gateway Partnership's appointment last month of contractor Leadbitter to build the town's new community sports and leisure centre, and bring the many benefits it will offer people in Harlow a step closer. The top-notch facilities are expected to be completed and opened to the public in Autumn 2009.

The new development is one of the flagship initiatives within the Gateway project, the £50m regeneration initiative in Harlow, and will provide local people with brand new sports and leisure facilities on a site in the town centre.

Leadbitter, a leading firm with comprehensive experience in the construction of similar projects, is building the centre.

Located adjacent to Harlow College, the three-storey complex will feature an impressive eight lane, 25 metre long swimming pool, and a second, three lane, 20 metre learner pool. It will also host a variety of high standard facilities, including three covered tennis courts, eight badminton courts and a gym - in addition to a sports hall that will double as a venue for big-ticket conferences, concerts and exhibitions.

The centre will boast extensive health and fitness facilities, a members' bar / lounge, nursery and one-stop health shop. It will also be home to ‘Science Alive', a hands-on science and technology learning centre for children and adults. A 510-space car park and landscaping will complete the development. The construction contract was let to Leadbitter Construction by English Partnerships, the national regeneration agency, on behalf of the Harlow Gateway Partnership. The East of England Development Agency (EEDA) has contributed £2.9m towards the new centre, supplementing the contributions from partners in the Gateway Project - the Department for Communities and Local Government, Harlow and District Sports Trust, English Partnerships, and Harlow District Council.