Exeter's bus station set to open this summer

St Sidwell's Point might too

Exeter’s new state-of-the-art new leisure complex and Bus Station are still on course and expected to open this summer.

The £52m scheme is split between the £8m for the bus station and £44m for the new leisure centre.

Councillors this week were this week given an update on the progress of works at the bus station site in the city centre, and they were told that despite all the difficulties of working through the Covid-19 pandemic, both the leisure centre and new bus station are expected to open to the public this summer.

The new leisure complex, called St Sidwell’s Point, will replace the ageing Pyramids and will be the first in the country built to the highly energy-efficient Passivhaus standard.

St Sidwell’s Point will be the first leisure centre in the UK built to the super energy-efficient Passivhaus standard, which is expected to eventually save up to 70 per cent on annual energy costs.

Once finished, it will include the main swimming pool and learner’s pool with moveable floors, a confidence pool, a fitness gym and two fitness studios, as well as a health suite and spa facility and a children’s soft play area

The new £8m Exeter Bus Station will include covered waiting and boarding areas and high-quality facilities, and will replace the current station opened in 1964.

Cllr Phil Bialyk, leader of Exeter City Council, said: “Construction is going well and we are on course to have both the new bus station and leisure centre open in the summer. These new facilities are much needed in Exeter and I can’t wait to get them open.

“I am delighted that we been able to deliver this project at a time when, because of Covid and what’s happened with the economy, so many projects planned by others have had to cease.

“We’ve been able to carry on, and the project has had a huge impact on the local economy, it terms of the supply chain and income it has generated locally. The whole city will see the benefit, and I am so pleased to say that they are getting ever nearer to completion.”

He added: “I am delighted that we have continued with the project and that money we have spent with have a fourfold effect in the benefits to the community. It was the right thing and we will see the benefits of it in Exeter.”

The new leisure complex, called St Sidwell’s Point, will replace the ageing Pyramids and will be the first in the country built to the highly energy-efficient Passivhaus standard.

St Sidwell’s Point will be the first leisure centre in the UK built to the super energy-efficient Passivhaus standard, which is expected to eventually save up to 70 per cent on annual energy costs.

Due to ultra-filtration, the pools will have exceptional water quality with minimal chemical content, which will greatly improve the experience for swimmers compared to a standard pool.

The landmark building is a grand design. It has been modelled to withstand predicted changes in climate conditions up to 2080.

It will feature:

A main swimming pool and learners pool with moveable floors
- A confidence water pool
- A spectator seated area
- A café to seat 50
- A fitness gym and two fitness studios
- A health suite and spa facility
- A children’s soft play area
- The new Exeter Bus Station will include covered waiting and boarding areas and high-quality facilities and will replace the current station opened in 1964.