THE building of a �2.5million sport and leisure facility reached an important milestone this week.

North Somerset’s project at Worle Community School reached a key stage in its development with the formal topping out of the structure.

Local dignitaries and representatives from the council, those from the Redwing Drive school and the Brandon Trust charity gathered for the event. The building, which will be known as @Worle, is being built by Willmott Dixon Construction.

Managing director Neal Stephens said: “We’re proud to be working on a project that will be of great benefit to the local community.”

It will include a fitness gym, dance studio, reception, changing rooms, caf� and kitchen, meeting rooms, a pottery and office space.

It will open early next year and will be available to the school, as well as the public.

The scheme also includes a full-sized 3G artificial turf pitch with floodlighting and a full-size artificial turf pitch for hockey, both of which are already available to use.

The Brandon Trust, a charity that supports people with learning disabilities, will also be based within the new facility.

It will deliver day and pottery services and the community meals scheme will also be provided from the new facility. The next step for the building work is to start the internal fit-out of the building, which should take about 12 weeks to complete. As the new term starts, students at Worle Community School will be invited to view the site and take part in a tree planting event.