A MULTI-million pound development has been delayed due to the coronavirus crisis.

The £25 million project that will see improved facilities at Carlisle's Sands Centre - which will see the creation of a new swimming pool to replace the city's ageing James Street Baths - was originally slated to open in summer 2020.

However, the start of work was pushed back due to the pandemic - and work only began at the start of the year.

By January, demolition work to make way for the new facilities had already removed 100 tonnes of building material.

A spokeswoman for Carlisle City Council said: "“The Sands Centre extension and redevelopment works have been impacted by the Covid-19 outbreak during the past year, this resulted in a later start on the project than planned.

"The exciting developments are now progressing well and are expected to be completed by late autumn 2022."

As part of its enabling works, Carlisle City Council and GLL, the council’s leisure provider, have put in place a temporary leisure facility at the nearby Newman’s School.

The spokeswoman added: “Whilst this major new development takes shape health and fitness activities continue to be delivered by GLL from our new facilities at the former Newman High School.

"GLL also have plans for an exciting programme of gigs, concerts and events in the summer and autumn at The Sands Centre."

The new Sands Centre building will be set across two storeys and accessed by a bespoke, internal street, the new build extension will add 40,000sq ft to the existing building, with the redeveloped centre offering state-of-the-art facilities including a 25m main pool and a 20m learner pool complete with an innovative moveable floor.

There will also be improvements to the existing events hall, four court sports hall with a spectator gallery, a 120 station fitness suite, and a spinning studio. It will also boast a café and bar area and dance studios.

The existing Pools provision on James Street will remain in place until all construction at The Sands Centre has been completed.

The project will also consolidate the existing arrangements with the North Cumbria University Hospitals Trust Musculoskeletal (MSK) team.

The MSK team already provide treatment services at The Sands Centre but will be able to expand their services and develop new joint/collective treatment and rehabilitation activities with GLL and other partners.

The improved facilities will include a range of sustainable features which will support Carlisle City Council’s plans for reducing carbon emissions, improving energy efficiency and providing sustainable, healthy transport options.