The swimming pool is in place at Dudley’s new £18 million leisure centre as the latest pictures show the ambitious project is taking shape.

Construction crews on site have been filling the pool with water to test it over the last couple of weeks. Attention is now turning to the sports hall, while it is hoped the roof will be completed early next year.

The £18.2 million project - funded by Dudley Council and delivered by Alliance Leisure - will provide a vibrant, modern hub for people to exercise, socialise and relax. 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. The facility will also have a power assisted toning suite to enable those recovering from injury and older customers to enjoy exercising. Councillor Patrick Harley, leader of Dudley Council, said:

"It’s only been a couple of months since we were last on site, but it’s been amazing to see how much work has been done in that time.cIt is exciting to think the people of Dudley will soon have a first-class, state of the art leisure facility to enjoy."

The plans are part of a wider major regeneration programme bringing over £1 billion investment to the town centre. The leisure centre will benefit from excellent public transport links through the forthcoming adjacent Metro stop and the nearby bus interchange.