PICTURES: First look as Walsall Wood's Oak Park Leisure Centre prepares to open

The pool in Walsall Wood is one of the features at the new Oak Park Leisure Centre.

It will have a fitness, a six court sports hall, two glass backed squash courts and a floodlit 3G artificial turf pitch.

A cafe will also feature.

The centre, off Lichfield Road, is expected to open next month - but an exact date has not yet been set.

Walsall Wood Councillor Gary Clarke said: "I went there a few weeks ago and its absolutely fantastic, it's just unbelievable walking around inside - we can't wait for it to open.

"We had to fight to get it to start with, but it is what people around here have wanted for a long time and it will be good to see them enjoy it.

"The facilities are second to none, especially the football pitch."

He added: "I can see it being something attracting not just people in the nearby area, but also further afield.

"It's a big development for the area."

The project was funded through the council's £24.3 million Active Living Centres initiative and also received a further £2m grant from Sport England's facilities award scheme.

A total of 600m sq of glass used in the building has been fitted and supplied by local contractors and suppliers.

The existing Oak Park facility remains open throughout the project as the new building will be next-door to the existing artificial turf pitches and accessed off Coppice Road.

The old building will be demolished following the completion and opening of the new centre.