Work has started this week on improvements to the changing rooms and swimming pools at Crystal Leisure Centre.

Building contractor Speller Metcalfe has moved in to demolish the existing changing facilities at the Stourbridge site while the centre is shut due to lockdown. Improvements are also planned for the leisure pool at the Bell Street centre.

Meanwhile work is set to start next month at Halesowen Leisure Centre, where a range of improvements have been earmarked including a new indoor children’s play area.

It comes as work is well under way on a new £18m leisure centre at Flood Street in Dudley. Councillor Ian Kettle, cabinet member responsible for leisure centres, said:

"I’m pleased to see that work has started at Crystal Leisure Centre. Regular users of the centre told us improvements were needed to the changing rooms.

"As a listening council we have got the ball rolling on that and contractors are in there this week ripping them out. There’s a lot happening with leisure centres at the moment.

"We are already seeing the new Dudley Leisure Centre taking shape but with the potential for improvements at Halesowen and Crystal, the future looks very bright for leisure centre users."

Halesowen is in-line for a new look entrance, adventure play area and café. There will also be major changes to the swimming pool to cater for learner and advanced swimmers. The plans also include new ‘village style’ changing rooms, pool-side viewing area and a state-of-the-art fitness suite. 

Both Halesowen and Crystal leisure centres will have significant repairs carried out as part of the proposals, led by development partner Alliance Leisure. Work is well underway on the new £18.2million Dudley Leisure centre.

The plans are part of a wider major regeneration programme bringing over £1billion investment to the town centre. The new Dudley leisure centre will benefit from excellent public transport links through the forthcoming adjacent Metro stop and the nearby bus Interchange. The new facility will include a 25 metre, eight-lane swimming pool and a teaching pool with spectator provision. There will be a four-court sports hall suitable for indoor football, badminton and more.

The investment will also include a 100-station gym and fitness suite, two group exercise studios for a wide range of exercise classes and an immersive cycle studio.

For families with younger children there will be a soft play area with catering facilities and a party room, and a café open to all users of the centre. And for those who want to relax after their workout session there’s set to be a sauna.

There will also be power-assisted gym equipment for specialist support which may be particularly beneficial for those recovering from injury, older customers and those living with long-term health conditions.