Two brand new leisure centres will open in Walsall, West Midlands this week, marking the culmination of a £24.3m, four-year investment project by Walsall Council.

The two sites – Oak Park and Bloxwich – will be branded as Active Living Centres when they launch tomorrow (9 August).

The Bloxwich centre will include a six-lane, 25m swimming pool, teaching pool, multi-use sports hall, café and a 100-station health and fitness club with dance studio for group exercise classes.

The facilities at Oak Park are identical, but in addition also include two glass-backed squash courts, a floodlit 3G artificial turf pitch and enhanced wet areas with a sauna and a steamroom.

Funded through the Council’s £24.3m Active Living Centres initiative, the project has also received a £2m grant from Sport England’s Iconic Facilities funding stream.

Councillor Julie Fitzpatrick, portfolio holder for community, leisure and culture said: “Opening the doors for the first time will be very exciting.

“Over the coming weeks the two centres will be a hive of activity. Our customers are about to be able to access some truly iconic and outstanding facilities that they can be really proud of.”

Designed by NORR Architects, both centres were built by construction company ISG and will be owned and operated by the council.