Work progressing swimmingly on new Dudley Leisure Centre

Work on the next phases of the £17.4 million facility, off Flood Street, started at the end of May after initial enabling work continued during the coronavirus lockdown.

And new aerial photos show how work is progressing well on the project, which is being funded by Dudley Council and delivered by Alliance Leisure.

Construction should have started in April last year but the project was delayed when planners were ordered to "enhance" the initial designs, with the new aim to have the facility built ahead of the Commonwealth Games in 2022.

The new facility will include a 25-metre swimming pool, teaching pool, four-court sports hall, 100-station gym and fitness suite, exercise studios, soft play area and café.

Leisure centres in Stourbridge and Halesowen will also be refurbished as part of the council's multi-million pound plans.

Councillor Ian Kettle, Dudley Council's cabinet member for regeneration and enterprise, said: "Dudley town centre is a hub of exciting regeneration activity and this is our time to build and grow the town.

“Work to develop a new leisure centre for Dudley is progressing well on site and we are still on track for the facility to be built ahead of the Commonwealth Games 2022.”

Earlier this year, Dudley Council leader, Councillor Patrick Harley, said: "This is fantastic news for Dudley. Our residents deserve and need a top class leisure centre and I’m really pleased that work is progressing.

"Once the hoardings go up, work will truly be underway and we should see a new, state of the art centre standing with pride in Dudley by the end of next year."

Work on the new Dudley Leisure Centre should be complete by the end of 2021.