Major milestone reached for new £24 million Sandwell leisure centre

Major construction milestones have been achieved at a new Sandwell leisure centre as the council marks a year until it is set to open.

Sandwell Council said work on the brand new £24million Haden Hill Leisure Centre in Cradley Heath had been progressing well, with significant progress made across the Barrs Road site.

Construction of the new facility began in May following the demolition of the former leisure centre, and the council said the new site is expected to open in autumn 2027.

Recent months have seen the completion of the main swimming pool and learner pool, the sports hall and pool hall roof structures, as well as external cladding to the sports hall.

With the main structure now largely complete, work is progressing on the building's exterior, pool tiling, internal walls and the installation of electrical systems throughout the centre.

Once complete, the new leisure centre will feature a main swimming pool, learner pool, three fitness studios, a 100-station gym, a four-court sports hall and a room dedicated to community use.

Sandwell Council said the investment formed part of wider efforts to help tackle health inequalities in local communities and encourage healthier lifestyles across the borough.

Councillor Michael Cooper, Cabinet Member for Customer Services and Neighbourhoods, said: “It’s great to see the progress being made on the new Haden Hill Leisure Centre.

“Sandwell residents can really start to see the building taking shape, and we're looking forward to opening the doors in a year’s time.

“Once complete, the centre will provide first class health and fitness facilities with something for everyone, whether that’s swimming, working out in the gym, taking part in fitness classes or playing sport with friends and family, this facility represents a major investment in the long-term health and wellbeing of our residents.”

Mark Braithwaite, CEO of Kore, which will be managing the facility said: "As the trusted leisure operator for Sandwell, we are delighted to see the fantastic progress being made on the new Haden Hill Leisure Centre.

“Reaching these major construction milestones brings us another step closer to delivering a modern, high-quality facility that will support the health, wellbeing and active lifestyles of local people for generations to come.

“We look forward to working alongside Sandwell Council and our partners as we count down to opening the doors in autumn 2027 and welcoming the community into this exceptional new space."

Rob Lashford, Divisional Director at Speller Metcalfe said: "We’re making excellent progress at Haden Hill Leisure Centre, with the main structure now largely complete and work continuing to make the building fully weathertight.

"It’s exciting to reach this stage of the project and see the new centre really taking shape. With the build progressing well, our focus is increasingly moving to the internal spaces and the next stages of construction.

“We’re looking forward to continuing our work with Sandwell Council and Alliance Leisure to deliver a fantastic new facility for the local community."

The redevelopment is being funded by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG), Sport England and Sandwell Council.

The project is being delivered by the council’s trusted leisure development partner, Alliance Leisure and construction is being carried out by Speller Metcalfe.