IN PICTURES: New Wednesbury leisure centre honouring Tunisia terror victim Joel Richards

Members of the public were offered their first glimpse of the glittering complex on High Bullen before it opens for the first time next Monday.

People were able to tour the building and check out its state-of-the-art facilities, which also include a sports hall and learner pool.

The sports hall has been named after Joel Richards, the 19-year-old from Wednesbury who died in the Tunisian terror attack, alongside his uncle Adrian Evans and grandfather Patrick Evans.

The modern-looking complex has been built on the same site as the old tired centre and Wednesbury councillor Bob Lloyd said the town finally had a leisure centre it could be proud of.

He said: "I was really impressed and so was everyone else who was going round. The gym looked great, and the dance studio with its multi-coloured windows.

"I actually learned to swim in the old leisure centre and from the 70s to now, it is vastly different. It really is a quality building.

"This is a focal point for the town, and when people talk about what makes a good town leisure centres are always part of that.

"Now we have this gym, dance studio and sports hall it will be great to get people in there and moving around."

Sandwell Council announced in September that the sports hall would be named in honour of Joel Richards, who was a football referee and keen sportsman, following the tragedy in Tunisia and Councillor Lloyd said it was a fitting tribute.

He said: "It is a nice touch for the town to remember Joel, he was really into his sport.

Things like leisure centres don't come along every year, they last for decades. It is something solid and hopefully will act as a reminder for the town."