The only brand-new venue for the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, the Smethwick-based centre will be operated by Sandwell Leisure Trust (SLT) which runs a number of the council’s other leisure centres in Sandwell.

The Aquatics Centre includes a 50m Olympic-sized swimming pool (the only 10-lane swimming pool in the West Midlands), a 10m high dive tower and a 25m dive pool, along with 1,000 spectator seats. Other facilities include a 20m x 10m community pool, three exercise studios, indoor cycling studio, two four-court sport halls, a 110-plus station gym, a women’s only gym, a dry diving centre with mini floor trampolines and a changing village for up to 600. Outside, there will be a new urban park and children’s play area as well as a new outdoor football pitch.

As part of the Commonwealth Games Legacy Plan, the council has developed a swimming programme to meet the needs of local residents, schools and swimming clubs. Sandwell’s three swimming clubs have come together to form a new Sandwell Aquatics Club which will based at the centre.

Future plans will see the dive tower and all the diving boards fully used through a comprehensive diving programme, as well as developing a diving club for Sandwell and the surrounding areas.

“It’s wonderful to celebrate the reopening of Sandwell Aquatics Centre to the public - after this fantastic venue took centre stage throughout last summer’s spectacular Commonwealth Games,” said Andy Street, mayor of the West Midlands and West Midlands Combined Authority chair.

“I was determined that - beyond the sporting success - the Games should deliver a tangible benefit for local people for generations to come. Thanks to our £70m Legacy Enhancement Fund - a direct result of our successful efforts to persuade government to enable us to retain the Games budget underspend - I’m delighted that the West Midlands Combined Authority is helping to ensure that the Aquatics Centre will be fully operational and flourishing in the months and years ahead.”