Scunthorpe’s new leisure centre The Pods has been shortlisted for an international award for architecture.
The new building, which opened in July, has been shortlisted for The World Architecture Festival Awards in the sports building category. The Soccer City, National Stadium in Johannesburg won the title in 2010.
The building also recently won the title of the ‘most sustainable building/development of the year’ at the Property Industry Awards Yorkshire.
The Pods has already seen more than 100,000 people through its doors since opening. The unique building was created by North Lincolnshire Council with financial help from Yorkshire Forward and Sport England.
The venue includes an eight-lane, 25m competition pool, a learning pool, a sports hall, fitness centre, dance studio and crèche.
Cllr John Briggs, deputy leader of North Lincolnshire Council, said: “I’m very excited. To find out we had won one award was great news. But now to be shortlisted for a worldwide award, competing with seven other countries, is just incredible.
“It is a fantastic building and is visually attractive both inside and out and has attracted a phenomenal number of visitors since it opened in July.
“It is built to a high standard and sympathetic to its surroundings, yet stands out.
“I’m proud of what we’ve achieved. It will be the icing on the cake to win this award.”
Other countries on the shortlist are Qatar, Iran, Australia, Poland, Spain, Germany and the Czech Republic.
The Pods is part of overall regeneration plans for Scunthorpe. It connects to a tree-lined Boulevard to Central Park, which contains a water fountain, children’s play area, café and amphitheatre.