Shepherd Construction has been awarded a £14.9m contract to build Bilston Leisure Centre on behalf of Wolverhampton City Council.

The leisure centre will be first permanent building of the city’s £175m urban village project.

The 5,600sq m complex will boast an eight-lane, 25m swimming pool, a learner pool, a health and fitness suite, four squash courts, a sports hall, a café and a meeting room.

Peter Millett, managing director of the York-based firm’s West Division, said: “We’re looking forward to working closely with the city council on a prestigious and striking building that will provide a great facility for the local community.”

The council’s cabinet member for leisure and culture, Matt Holdcroft, said: “The sorts of facilities that will be on offer have been designed to attract families and other target groups, and it will make a significant contribution towards tackling health inequalities in the area.”

The centre is scheduled to open in May next year.