BUILDING work is set to start on the new Dudley Leisure Centre at the end of this month.

Construction on the Flood Street site will start at the end of May following initial enabling work that began in January and has continued throughout the coronavirus pandemic.

The £17.4 million project is set to include a 25 metre swimming pool, large state of the art gym, sports hall, flexible studio meeting spaces, spin studio and an onsite café, along with a soft play area, party room and a sauna and toning suite.

Councillors approved a planning application last December, as part of a scheme that will also see refurbishments made to Halesowen Leisure Centre and the Crystal Leisure Centre in Stourbridge.

Hoardings will soon be placed around the site for work to begin.

Councillor Patrick Harley, leader of Dudley Council said: "This is fantastic news for Dudley. Our residents deserve and need a top class leisure centre and I’m really pleased that work is progressing. We truly are regenerating Dudley, the demolition of Cavendish House is complete and we have great ambitions for our borough. It’s our time to build, connect and grow.

"Once the hoardings go up, work will truly be underway and we should see a new, state of the art centre standing with pride in Dudley by the end of next year."

The fate of the Wellington Road centre, which is currently closed due to the coronavirus lockdown, has yet to be confirmed.

The new centre is expected to be completed by the end of 2021.