New pictures show revamp of Halesowen Leisure Centre

Council bosses paid a visit to the site in Pool Road to see first-hand how the project, expected to be completed next spring, is coming along.

Cabinet members councillor Simon Phipps and councillor Shaun Keasey were shown around by leisure centre manager Simon Cotterill.

A new reception, entrance and café area is being created, while a new soft play area and catering facilities are being built where the learner pool used to be.

Gym facilities are being improved with the addition of new equipment and a toning suite. Facilities are also being made more accessible, with a lift and a changing room for people with support needs.

The swimming pool remains open while work continues, with phase one expected to open later this year.

The swimming pool and changing room improvements – which will see the current facilities removed and replaced with a changing village - are expected to be complete by next spring.

Councillor Simon Phipps, cabinet member responsible for leisure centres, said: "Halesowen is my local leisure centre and the one that I use, so it was great to get the chance to have a little tour to see how work is progressing on the improvements.

"You can really see things starting to take shape now, and it will look fantastic when it is finished."

The investment is part of the biggest outlay on leisure services in the borough for decades, with an £18 million brand new leisure centre being built in Dudley town centre and improvements at Crystal Leisure Centre in Stourbridge.

Councillor Keasey said: "The revamp of Halesowen and Crystal leisure centres, and the building of a brand new state-of-the-art facility in Dudley, will transform the visitor experience for our users.

"People told us they were looking tired and in need of modernisation. We listened. Bright new entrances, café and soft play facilities, better changing rooms and improved leisure facilities are on their way to give our residents in this borough the first class leisure facilities they deserve."

At Crystal, the outdated changing rooms have been removed and completely remodelled – with more family focused facilities - and work has been undertaken to improve the experience for swimmers.

New artwork adorns the slides in the leisure pool, which have been repainted, while a new beach style tiki hut has been put in poolside for when the popular Bondi Beat disco sessions return.

The 25m pool has also been drained and refilled, with improved lighting installed.

The centre in Bell Street is expected to re-open next month.

And work is well underway on the new £18.2million Duncan Edwards Leisure centre in Dudley which will include a 25 metre, eight-lane swimming pool and a teaching pool with spectator seats. 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, a first for the Black Country.

There will be a soft play area with catering facilities and a party room, and a café.

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