HS2 has given £75,000 to Warwick District Council (WDC) to help fund finishing touches at the over-budget and much-delayed Abbey Fields Leisure Centre project.

Funding will pay for "external landscaping and groundwork improvements".

HS2 said the funding - from its Community & Environment Fund (CEF) - will go towards creating an "engaging outdoor space" surrounding the new pool building, featuring footpaths, landscaping and public seating areas, all "sensitively designed to blend in with the historic location".

Cllr Jim Sinnott said: "The council is making a huge investment in this exciting project to provide Kenilworth and the wider district with the additional swimming pools required to meet the needs of a growing population.

"We very much welcome the additional funding we will receive from the HS2 which will make a significant contribution to our aim of creating a wonderful asset for the whole community."

Work on site in Abbey Fields resumed again in March 2024 after construction had ceased following the discovery of archaeological remains in 2022.

The construction - which is being managed by Kier - is now expected to take until the summer of 2026.

Amended planning permission for the project was secured at the end of 2023, with some small changes to the design approved.

A new £22 million price for the Abbey Fields Leisure Centre project has been agreed - a huge step up from the £8.5 million predicted in September 2021, and the £12.5 million contract signed the following year.

Cathy Elliott, independent chair of the HS2 Funds, said: "We're proud to be able to support this exciting scheme to rebuild Abbey Fields Swimming Pool and to create an ultra-modern facility that can be enjoyed by local people. It is great to see that the build project is now well underway. 

"Since 2017, we have provided funding to a huge variety of community-led projects through HS2's CEF and BLEF schemes – we still have over half of the £40m funding pot set aside and open for new applications from organisations delivering projects in communities directly affected by the construction of HS2."

To learn more about HS2 funding schemes and for details on how to apply, visit: https://hs2funds.org.uk