Bilston's £14.9m new leisure centre is shaping up

This is the latest picture of Bilston's rapidly emerging £14.9 million leisure centre which is on schedule to be finished this summer, despite problems caused by the snow.

Steelwork, all 800 tons of it, is due to be complete by the end of next month with the curved shape that will make it so distinctive now clearly identifiable.

Main contractor Shepherd Construction said today that work was also under way on the masonry, roofing and cladding.

The 5,600 sq metre leisure complex, first phase of Bilston Urban Village regeneration programme, will have a 25-metre pool, learner pool, sports hall, health and fitness suite, four squash courts and meeting rooms enclosed by floor-to-ceiling glass windows.

It will complement the South Wolverhampton and Bilston Academy due to be built nearby. Councillor Stephen Simkins, Wolverhampton City Council cabinet member for leisure and culture, said: "The new leisure centre will be a landmark development for the people of Bilston and Wolverhampton and I am delighted that the construction work is right on track."

He said the standard of facilities would be "very high" and a big improvement on those at the old leisure centre in Prouds Lane.

The centre is being built on behalf of the city council, with the project managed by the council's property services team. So far Shepherd Construction and its team of sub-contractors have taken on 24 people from the local area to work on the site and it is hoped that more paid work placements will be created as the building progresses.

In addition, the new facility will employ the equivalent of 33 full-time members of staff.

To date more than £1.2million worth of building materials and equipment, including recycled aggregate, concrete and lifts for cranes, has been ordered from local companies.