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Facilities in the new centre will include a 25m pool, learner pool, sauna and steam room, four-court sports hall, 100-station fitness suite, two dance studios/activity rooms, indoor children’s adventure play centre and cafe.

The new centre, on the corner of Barton Street and Moore Street, is set to open in late spring 2014.

In addition to offering a range of sports and fitness classes for all ages and abilities, the centre will benefit Future Skills Sandwell students by providing training and employment opportunities.

DC Leisure has been appointed by Sandwell Council to design, build and operate the leisure leisure centre and swimming pool in West Bromwich.  They are working in partnership with Pellikaan Construction.

A special time capsule was been buried on the site when work first started on the site.

It contained a snapshot of life in 2013 and was buried by two Future Skills Sandwell apprentices.

The capsule contained West Bromwich Albion memorabilia, local newspapers, information about the area’s regeneration and even an Argos catalogue to show future generations the gadgets and gizmos available in 2013.

Sandwell deputy leader Councillor Steve Eling said: "With doom and gloom in the headlines, coming into West Bromwich and seeing fantastic regeneration and redevelopment work under way creates a really positive feeling.

"We are proud of the new opportunities planned for our young people and are confident that we are helping to grow a skilled and employable workforce."

The build has been a success for Sandwell's Think Local youth employment team who have now made arrangements for local young people to gain extensive work experience shadowing full-time workers carrying out the project.

Peter Kirkham, development director at DC Leisure, said: “We are looking forward to continuing to work with Sandwell Council to encourage increased participation in physical activity and sport through a varied and exciting mix of programmes and facilities.”