Pictures show glimpse inside new £18m Dudley leisure centre

The site, in Constitution Hill, is on track to open early in 2022.

Councillor Simon Phipps, Dudley Council's cabinet member responsible for leisure centres, was given a tour of the new facility for the first time and he said he was "absolutely blown away".

Contractors ISG Construction are set to complete building work by early November, with gym and exercise equipment then being moved in and the two pools filled with water.

Cllr Phipps, cabinet member for regeneration and enterprise, said: "The contractors have done an outstanding job - it’s seriously impressive and a facility we can be proud of.

Cllr Simon Phipps, Dudley's cabinet member responsible for leisure centres, checks out the new facility

"It’s the first new leisure centre we have built in the borough since Crystal in Stourbridge in 1990 – that was before I was even born!

"As a council we have committed to the biggest spend on leisure services for decades with the work we have done here and the revamps of Crystal and Halesowen leisure centres.

"It means residents will have access to affordable, accessible, state-of-the-art leisure facilities and I can’t wait to see the new centre open."

The new Dudley leisure centre 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,100-station gym and fitness suite, two group exercise studios for exercise classes and an immersive cycle studio, plus a sauna for those who want to relax after a workout and soft play area for children with catering facilities and a party room, and a cafe for centre users.

The centre will also include power-assisted gym equipment for specialist support which may be beneficial for those recovering from injury or living with long-term health conditions.