Construction work has begun on a new leisure centre in Stone, Staffordshire, as part of a £10m investment in the town’s leisure facilities.

The centre will house a six-lane 25m swimming pool and a health club with an 80-station gym floor and fitness studios.

The £5.2m centre is at the heart of a £10m investment in the town’s leisure facilities, which is likely to also include a multi-use games area, skate-park and new play facilities.

With a total floor space of 2,280sq m, the leisure centre plans meet Sport England recommendations for indoor sport facilities – and therefore could qualify for grant funding.

The project – expected to be completed by the end of 2019 – is being driven by Stafford Borough Council, which will own the centre once it opens.

Councillor Mike Smith, cabinet member for leisure at the council, said: “It is great that work will be under way this week on this new leisure centre to bring swimming and fitness under one roof.

“We are all aware of the national picture where local authority leisure centres are being closed, or under threat of closure, to save money, so I am pleased that we are able to make this huge investment in Stone.”

The plans will be partly funded through land sales. Last October (2016), the council approved plans for a Marks & Spencer food store to be built on land adjacent to the proposed leisure centre site.

Smith added that it was the biggest investment the council had made from its own resources in the borough for decades – but that the involvement of commercial operators has been crucial for the success of the project.

“We want to deliver a brand new leisure centre that people want, with the facilities under one roof, without burdening local taxpayers,” he said.