£8m Tipton Leisure Centre opening celebrated

Tipton Leisure Centre, which welcomed its first customers after years of planning, has a 25-metre six-lane swimming pool which took a week to fill as well as a 12.5 metre teaching pool, gym and fitness classes and a dance studio.

First to use the new pool was Tipton Civic Society chairman Ray Brothwood, aged 74, and his wife Denise, 72. Mr Brothwood said: "The new building is state-of-the-art and will become a flagship for Tipton.

"I would like to congratulate the council and those who built the site."

The new centre has been created to replace Tipton Swimming Centre, Queens Road, and is the first new facility of its kind to open in Sandwell for nearly 40 years. Sandwell Leisure Trust has already sold about 600 memberships ahead of the centre opening. There will be 29 fitness classes every week including yoga, body combat and Zumba.

The building has also been adapted for use by disabled people with hoists in the changing room and slopes by the pool for ease of access. There are also public and private showers.

Sandwell Council's cabinet member for leisure services, Councillor Linda Horton said: "It is fantastic to see this superb building completed. It will be a jewel in the crown for Sandwell's leisure services."

Work is also under way on a £11 million swimming pool and leisure complex in West Bromwich on the corner of Moor Street and Richard Street South.

It is due to open in the summer of 2014.