£15m Smethwick leisure centre plan

A new £15 million leisure centre will be built in the heart of Smethwick, bringing the town's four existing centres under one roof and modernising facilities, Sandwell Council's leader revealed today.

The authority plans to build the new modern facility in place of the current Harry Mitchell Centre, on Broomfield.

It will replace the four leisure centres which serve Smethwick residents already.

These include Hadley Stadium on Waterloo Road, Smethwick Swimming Centre, in Thimblemill Road, and Langley Baths, as well as Harry Mitchell.

The giant Broomfield site will allow for the council to build a pool large enough to accommodate swimming galas and water polo, it is hoped, alongside gym facilities. It is believed the centre will cost around £15m and the money will come from the joint revenue of the four existing centres.

Council leader Councillor Darren Cooper said: "The way we are running the council means that despite cuts, we are still able to use our resources in a different way to improve the quality of life for our residents.

"There are still some finer details to work out but we believe we have the money to deliver this centre."

He added:?"The plan is to have an all-singing, all-dancing centre with a gym, and a pool large enough for swimming galas."

He said the existing centres had become expensive to run because of their age.

The revelation comes as work ploughs forward on the site of the new £8m swimming centre in Tipton, at the junction of Alexandra Road and Thursfield Road.

Council chiefs are meanwhile deciding on a contractor to build and run the new £11m West Bromwich swimming pool, at the junction of Moor Street and Bromford Lane. In Oldbury, the council is building the £15m Portway Lifestyle Centre.