Proposals to build a brand new leisure centre in Dudley and revamp existing centres across the borough will be announced at a meeting later this month.

In a report to Dudley Council’s cabinet on Thursday October 27, members will be asked to discuss plans for a new leisure centre in Dudley, and to refurbish and modernise the existing leisure centres in Halesowen and Stourbridge.

At this stage the estimated capital cost of the scheme, including a new leisure centre as well as repairs and refurbishment at Halesowen and Stourbridge, is £22million.  This figure will be reviewed as plans are developed further.

This follows a consultation and a review of leisure centre facilities in the borough over the last 12 months.

Early suggestions as a potential site include Flood Street, in Dudley, but no decisions have been made and council bosses have stressed it would follow extensive consultation with local businesses and residents. Councillor Ian Kettle, cabinet member responsible for leisure centres, said:

“Over the last 12 months there has been a lot of discussion around the future of our leisure centres and it’s clear from what local people have said that there remains a huge demand for three centres in the borough. 

“Although we are still in the process of working up the detail, this latest proposal demonstrates our commitment to retaining three centres as we move forward and I hope it will be welcomed by many of our residents.

“A full proposal will be worked on over the next few months as we are confident that as part of the ongoing regeneration of Dudley town centre, there are council owned sites available for a new centre in the town which would free up the existing leisure centre site for redevelopment. It must be stressed that the existing centre would not close until a new facility is open.”

The full proposal will be presented at a future meeting of the cabinet in February next year.

 The council has in principle made an allowance in its budget for £600,000 in 19/20 rising to £1.2million in 20/21, towards the cost of the project.