New delay for £24m Black Country leisure centre construction project after asbestos discovery
The construction of a new £24 million leisure centre has been further delayed following the discovery of asbestos, it has emerged.
Demolition work at the old Haden Hill Leisure Centre, in Barrs Road, Cradley Heath, got under way in September last year and is expected to be completed in the coming weeks.
Now Sandwell Council has revealed that that during the demolition new contractor Speller Metcalfe identified "higher-than-expected levels of asbestos" within parts of the building which was not spotted in earlier surveys due to the way the centre was built in the 1970s.
It said the effort to safely remove the asbestos material continues in line with strict regulations and there has been no risk to workers or the public.
Around 80 per cent of the building has now been demolished, marking a significant milestone in the project. As a result of the additional asbestos works, the demolition phase is now expected to be completed by the end of April three months later than planned. The construction of the new Haden Hill Leisure Centre is scheduled to begin shortly after the demolition is completed.
Sandwell's community boss Councillor Suzanne Hartwell said: “Really good progress is being made on the demolition and we’re looking forward to the building work beginning at the end of next month.
“This new community facility will benefit thousands of people’s health and activity levels and I am so looking forward to it opening to the public. It’s the sixth brand new leisure centre we will have built in Sandwell over the past decade.”
It will feature facilities including a main swimming pool, a learner pool, two multi-purpose studios, a 100-station gym, a 27-station indoor cycling studio, a four-court sports hall and a dedicated community room.
It is now due to open to the public in autumn 2027 after the development missed the original 2026 target.
Speller Metcalfe regional director Rob Lashford said: “It’s great to be in the final stages of the demolition of the old Haden Hill Leisure Centre. We’re excited to get started on developing the new facility and it’s been encouraging to see how excited the local community is about what’s to come.
"Knowing we’re playing a role in delivering something valuable for the community is hugely rewarding, and we look forward to making the new centre a reality.”
Sport England's Lisa Dodd-Mayne added its work included investing in and supporting the wider community and organisations of the Black Country region.
The crumbling 50-year-old complex was closed in 2024 to make way for a £24m upgrade after the pool was drained a year earlier after its ceiling collapsed.
The council initially said the work would be finished by autumn this year, but it was pushed back following delays caused by the collapse of the original builder ISG (Interior Services Group) which went into administration in September 2024.
The redevelopment of the site is being funded by Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, Sport England and the council.
Visitor attractions in the area include Haden Hill House, in Halesowen Road.
