£7.7m leisure centre opens doors

BIRMINGHAM’S newest leisure centre has opened after a £7.7 million rebuild.

Northfield’s new centre, on the corner of Bristol Road South and Great Stone Road, includes a 25-metre pool as well as a teaching pool, a gym and community room.

It is the third of the city council’s pools to be rebuilt by the Birmingham Community Leisure Trust following the completion of those at Erdington and Stechford.

Trust chairman Brian Taylor said: “With the opening of this major new leisure venue in Northfield we warmly invite everyone who lives and works in this part of the city to come and enjoy the modern, high quality facilities available here.

“Whether you are a budding athlete with eyes on a future Commonwealth Games or simply looking for a fitter, healthier life through swimming or visiting the gym, the opportunity is waiting for you at Northfield Leisure Centre.”

The old pool, which was built in 1937, closed two years ago and was demolished to make way for the new facility. Some of the old stones have been re-used in the new building and nostalgic photographs are displayed in the foyer.

Nine city council pools and leisure centres were handed over to the new trust in 2015 to rebuild or refurbish and run for 15 years.

The £40 million investment was covered by a major Sport England grant and some top-up funding from the city council.

Fox Hollies Leisure Centre in Acocks Green, Cocks Moors Woods Leisure Centre in Kings Heath, Beeches Leisure Centre in Great Barr and Wyndley Leisure Centre in Sutton Coldfield were all refurbished.

A further pool is due to be built on the new Icknield Port Loop estate in Ladywood.