Cherwell District Council (CDC) has announced the opening of the new £15m Spiceball Leisure Centre in Banbury, Oxfordshire, which has been completed on budget ahead of schedule.

Initially due to open in January 2010, the new centre replaces the former Spiceball Park Leisure Centre and forms part of a wider sports centre modernisation programme in the local area, which is being led by Cherwell Community Leisure (CLL) - a wholly owned subsidiary of Parkwood Project Management. Facilities at Spiceball Leisure Centre include a 150-station gym equipped by Precor, an eight-court sports hall with spectator area, a six-lane, 25m swimming pool and a 20m x 10m training pool with moveable floor.

Two squash courts, a multi-purpose studio, an exercise and dance studio, a health suite including spa, sauna and steamroom facilities, a soft play area and a meeting room also form part of the complex, along with wet and dry changing areas and a café. Moss Construction, a subsidiary of the Bedfordshire-based Kier Group, constructed the new complex, which was designed by Plymouth-based Burke Rickhards architects.

CDC's portfolio holder for environment, recreation and health, George Reynolds, said: "Spiceball marks the culmination of this investment and I'm sure you'll appreciate how good the centre is when you visit. "This has been a massive project for the council and our gratitude should go to all those involved in it's completion early and within the agreed budget."

Centre manager Graham Bleach added: "We hope that the new facilities will make health and fitness more accessible for everyone."