Kirklees Council has appointed BAM Construction as the preferred contractor for the new multi-million pound Huddersfield Sports Centre which will be built on Spring Grove car park in Springwood, Huddersfield.

The new facility will replace the existing Southgate sports centre, which is coming to the end of its life and will close once the new centre is up and running.

BAM has been successful in meeting stage one of a two-stage procurement process, utilising the Regional YORbuild Procurement Framework for construction projects.

The council will continue to work with BAM to meet stage 2 requirements, with a contract between BAM and the council intended to be signed later this year.

Construction of the new centre is expected to start in 2013 and the new centre is planned to be opened to the public in 2015.

Facilities at the centre will include a 25m swimming pool; a teaching pool; two sports halls; climbing, squash and martial arts facilities; a large fitness suite; a café and a children's area.

The new centre will also include a family water leisure facility including a beach, flume, sidewinder and several more water features.

The sports centre will be owned by the council and managed by leisure trust Kirklees Active Leisure.