WORK has started on a new leisure centre site in Worcestershire.

Construction machinery has moved on to the land at Silverwoods, the former British Sugar factory, in Stourport Road, Kidderminster to begin levelling the ground in preparation for the build.

The new centre will include a sports hall, six lane 25m swimming pool, learner pool, fitness suite, dance studios, climbing wall and small-sided outdoor football pitches. It will also have a cafe with viewing areas, a double height children’s adventure play area, a health suite with sauna and steam room and free parking.

Cllr Marcus Hart, leader of Wyre Forest District Council, said: "It is great to be able to witness the start of this phase of the leisure centre project. A lot of work has been undertaken to get us to this point. We have the backing of Sport England and we are confident this will be the right centre, in the right place with the right mix of facilities. The new Wyre Forest Leisure Centre is a positive way forward for sports and leisure provision in the district.”

The centre is being built and managed by social enterprises company Places for People Leisure Ltd. Peter Kirkham, development director at PfPL, added: "Our company is all about creating active places and healthy people. In partnership with Wyre Forest District Council we will work hard to improve the health and wellbeing of the local community. We are having great success at a centre we’ve recently opened in West Bromwich and we’re confident that when the facility opens it will exceed all expectations and improve the wellbeing of the community here.”

It is estimated the new leisure centre will save the district council more than £390,000 a year. The savings will be achieved because the new centre will be more sustainable and the contractor will be paying the council a management fee to run the facility.

The new leisure centre is due to open in Summer 2016 and an artist impressions of the centre and a virtual tour of the site can be viewed on the council’s website www.wyreforestdc.gov.uk/newleisurecentre

The authority’s current leisure centres will be operating as normal until the new centre opens.