Rochdale's new leisure centre is shaping up nicely as councillors saw for themselves on a progress visit to the site.

Due to open next summer, the £10.8m development features an eight-lane 25 metre swimming pool and a 17 metre learner pool with moveable floor, sauna and steam rooms, two fitness suites, dance studios, a four-court sports hall and over 160 parking spaces for centre users.

Councillor Jacqueline Beswick, Cabinet Member for Performance and Partnerships, said: "It's great to see first-hand the progress that's been made on this new centre since work began in December. This will be the third multi-million pound sports centre in the borough and, alongside the facilities in Middleton and Heywood, offers a step-change in the quality of leisure provision."

The new centre is being built next door to the existing centre. It forms part of an overall capital programme of £33.8 million agreed by Rochdale Borough Council in July 2007 following the launch of Link4Life, the boroughwide Cultural Trust.

Cabinet Member for Finance Councillor Farooq Ahmed said: "I'm delighted that we've kept the new centre right at the heart of the town centre and so close to the existing facility which is popular and well-used. We're on time and on budget and I look forward to such high quality leisure facilities being available to local communities. It will be a real asset and make a major contribution to the regeneration of Rochdale.

"This is just one of several major projects now underway which will transform Rochdale town centre. It's wonderful to see real progress being made on this, preparations for Metrolink, and the new customer service centre, library and council offices building which is now rapidly emerging."

The centre, designed by KKA architects, is being project managed by the council's Impact Partnership, and built by Willmott Dixon.

Anthony Dillon, Managing Director for Willmott Dixon in the North, said: "This facility will be an excellent addition to Rochdale and, as locally based constructors, we are delighted to be creating something that will benefit people for many years to come."

Discussions are underway with existing and potential users of the facilities as Link4Life's Managing Director, Craig McAteer, explained: "We know very well the huge benefits that new and modern facilities bring. The new centre will greatly extend the range of services provided with the widest pool in the borough, the largest of our four fitness suites and, for the first time, a fully accessible public sports hall available daytime and evening. We will continue to work with local communities to widen access to as broad a range of interests as possible."

The new leisure centre is just one of several exciting developments set to transform Rochdale town centre in the next few years. Together these projects will create an attractive, vibrant town with fantastic leisure, shopping, cultural and learning opportunities for residents, visitors and businesses.