£8m leisure centre dedicated to Tunisia terror victim Joel Richards ready to open
The new £8.1 million Wednesbury Leisure Centre will open on November 9.
Final touches have been made to the building in High Bullen and it is now being made ready for the public.
Earlier this month, Sandwell Council announced the sports hall would be named after 19-year-old Joel Richards, from Wednesbury, who died – along with uncle Adrian Evans, 49 and grandfather Charles Patrick Evans, 78 – while holidaying in Tunisia.
The new complex will have a 25-metre pool, a learner pool, two dance studios, a 100-station fitness suite and also includes a new sports hall.
Deputy leader Councillor Steve Eling said: "It's fantastic to see this superb building completed.
"Wednesbury Leisure Centre will offer a state-of-the-art facility to meet the different needs of local residents.
"It will also be a great honour to name the sports hall after Joel Richards, who lived in Wednesbury and was a keen sports enthusiast. This will be a fitting tribute to him and his family."
Paul Slater, chief executive officer for Sandwell Leisure Trust, said: "We are delighted that we are managing the newest leisure facility for Sandwell and look forward to it being a popular health and fitness hub for the local community."
The Leisure Trust will be holding tours of the new facilities from Tuesday 27 from noon to 8.30pm.
