A £14 million redevelopment of the iconic Doncaster Dome, one of the youngest listed buildings in the UK, has begun.

Designed by Neil Taylor and the team at FaulknerBrowns to echo the pink and cream banding of the Duomo in Florence, the building received a Grade II listing on the National Heritage List for England in 2023.

The Doncaster Dome has been operated by the Doncaster Culture and Leisure Trust since it opened in 1989, when it was the largest of its kind in Europe, with waterslides, pools, sports halls and an ice rink.

Alliance Leisure is leading the extensive refurbishment of the Lagoons area, through the UK Leisure Framework, owned by Denbighshire Leisure Ltd.

The upgrade will include essential maintenance works and upgrades to enhance the overall functionality and efficiency of the centre, as well as introducing new features to enhance the visitor experience, including two new racer slides and an indoor splash play area for families with a variety of interactive water features, designed by Myrtha Pools.

The changing village and toilets will also be refitted and refurbished.

Sean Nolan, business development manager, Alliance Leisure, says: “We understand the importance of preserving the Lagoon’s unique character while ensuring it meets the needs of modern visitors. This is a hugely popular facility in the community and this refurbishment will help secure its long-term future.”

The target reopening date is early 2026. The project team includes architects Saunders Boston, main contractor Universal Group, CGP and Hensall delivering M and E services and swimming pool engineers, FT Leisure.

Alliance Leisure is currently working on the redevelopment of Doncaster Dome’s sister site Thorne Leisure Centre. The £5.9 million project will introduce a variety of modern fitness, play and leisure facilities to the 1960s-built centre.