Sandwell Aquatics Centre opens its doors to the public on Monday 24 July and we couldn’t be prouder!
Watch this incredible video giving you a sneak preview of the centre and the 50-metre Olympic-size pool.
The centre in Londonderry Lane, Smethwick, was the only brand-new venue for the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, and it will offer a huge range of sport and exercise facilities for everyone in the community.
The final phase of transforming the venue from Games to legacy mode was completed this month and it opens to the public next week on Monday 24 July.
We’ve celebrated the occasion with a day of media broadcasts and special guests – including local Paralympian and Strictly star Ellie Simmonds, Chair of Sport England Chris Boardman, Olympic diver Sarah Barrow, West Midlands Mayor Andy Street and many more.
Sandwell Aquatics Centre was always designed as a community leisure facility first and tailored for use during the Commonwealth Games, rather than the other way around.
Here’s the moment Ellie helped Leader of Sandwell Council Councillor Kerrie Carmichael unveil the plaque – such a great day!
The construction has helped create jobs for local people, local apprenticeships and work for local businesses, and delivering the centre has been a catalyst for significant investment in infrastructure projects in Sandwell.
Here’s what Batonbearer and Smethwick swimming legend Liz Wilkins from Sandwell Aquatics Club had to say about what the new centre means to swimming clubs in Sandwell and across the region. Liz believes the centre – the only purpose-built venue for the Games – will mean swimming champions of the future could train to Olympic level right here in Smethwick.
Bristnall Hall Academy students Sharona and Pavdeep were just some of the Sandwell volunteers who played a key role at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games last summer. They talked about being excited to have such a great new facility on their doorstep.
West Midlands Mayor Andy Street was at the launch, and he talked about how important the life skill of swimming was to Sandwell’s young people.
It’s amazing to have the best leisure centre in the UK here in Sandwell. Not only is it fantastic for Sandwell people, it will also be a centre for the region’s talented swimmers and divers. They will benefit from having a world-class facility on their doorstep for decades to come.
Olympic diver Sarah Barrow was there to unveil the centre.
Another Olympian who joined us was Chris Boardman, world record holder and three-time Tour de France stage winner, and Chair of Sport England. He said tens of thousands of children would learn valuable life skills, and the centre would help improve the health of the local community.
We also welcomed community groups including the Abrahamic Foundation to the opening event.
Here’s Nasir Akhtar talking about bringing his family to the new centre.
The new facility will be operated by Sandwell Leisure Trust (SLT) which runs a number of the council’s other leisure centres in Sandwell.
There’s just one thing left to say – we love the new Sandwell Aquatics Centre and we hope you do too!
Find out more about Sandwell Aquatics Centre and how to join.
