Birmingham Commonwealth Games: Sandwell Aquatics Centre future revealed from summer 2023

The 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham put the region on the sporting map, and now members of the public will have the chance to use one of the many venues built for the event. The Sandwell Aquatics Centre, which hosted many events including swimming and diving at the games, is set to reopen in the summer as a facility for the community.

A major part of the refit from elite sporting venue to inclusive community hub is the removal of around 4,000 spector seats. Further developments include the installation of brand new leisure facilities in the centre which is on course to open in August.

According to construction group Wates, which is behind the redevelopment, the centre has been designed to be welcoming and inclusive, with facilities including a 108-station fitness suite; a women-only gym;  indoor cycling studio; sauna and steam room and the reinstatement of the existing football pitch.

The legacy of the Commonwealth Games is also something which has been considered in the redevelopment. For the first time, budding swimmers and divers will have their own centre of excellence where they train for future competitions without having to compromise where they live or travel further afield.

Earlier in the development of the centre, Sandwell Council Leader councillor Kerrie Carmichael said:  The centre will be fantastic for Sandwell people who, together with the region’s talented swimmers and divers, will benefit from having a world-class facility on their doorstep for decades to come.

“This amazing development is a key project for both regeneration and health and the construction itself has already boosted the local economy by helping to create jobs, apprenticeships and work for local businesses in the supply chain.

“This was always designed as a community leisure facility first and tailored for use during the Commonwealth Games, rather than the other way around. The centre is part of the council’s wider plans to regenerate Sandwell and drive further investment and opportunity, so it’s great to see how the legacy phase is taking shape.”