The builder has been selected through the Scape framework on the first of a two-stage contract to build a £33m leisure, business support and community complex in the heart of Redcar.

The town’s new facilities will include a six-lane, 25-metre swimming pool, dance hall and performance space. The job also includes building a debating chamber and relocated registrars office alongside a new business centre.

This is being built to attract entrepreneurs and start-up companies to develop and commercialise new ideas, creating business and job opportunities for local people.

Planning permission has been just been granted for the project allowing Willmott Dixon to begin construction work in the New Year.

The leisure and community development is part of the overall Redcar and Cleveland Economic Master Plan, which aims to create and attract 14,600 new jobs, 600 new businesses, £4.5bn private investment and £291m public investment.

Willmott Dixon has also been selected to build the seaside towns 80ft vertical pier as reported in the Enquirer last month.

Managing director for its Northern office, Anthony Dillon, said: “This regeneration heralds an exciting new future for Redcar and its community, making a genuine lasting difference.

“As a company that has worked on many local projects, including building the first BREEAM ‘outstanding’ health facility for NHS South of Tyne & Wear in Houghton-Le-Spring, we appreciate the importance of the ‘local pound’.

“This ensures we use local businesses and support local jobs whenever possible on this exciting regeneration.”

Willmott Dixon is working with S&P Architects on the leisure side of the scheme and with +3 architects on the civic and business facilities. It is also using Buro Happold for all structural and civil engineering work.