The third new leisure centre to open in three years in the borough of Rochdale is due to open its doors to the public on Sunday 1 July.

The £11 million new centre currently nearing completion in Rochdale town centre will be the third brand new £10 million plus leisure centre to be launched by Link4Life, the Rochdale Boroughwide Cultural Trust, in the borough of Rochdale as part of an investment in new sport and arts facilities totalling more than £34 million.

The new centre will greatly extend the range of services provided and, for the first time, a fully accessible sports hall will be available in Rochdale for both daytime and evening public use.

An eight-lane, 25 metre swimming pool is another feature of the new Rochdale Leisure Centre – in what will be the widest pool in the borough - which also has a large 17 metre second pool with moveable floor. This equalises the depth of water across the pool making it much more flexible for activities such as fitness classes and swimming lessons. Pool changing facilities include a family-friendly changing village in addition to traditional male and female changing areas.

Replacing the sauna and steam facilities that formed part of the existing Central Leisure will be a high quality thermal suite that will give yet another luxury feel to the new centre.

Fitness fans are set to be delighted with the facilities available at the new centre which will have a 120 station main gym as well as a smaller 'activity' gym for programmed and targeted sessions and two dance studios.

Opening around two weeks before the school holidays, plans are now in place for a new and exciting programme of activities for children and families across the summer. A public launch event to be held on Saturday 7 July will open up the new centre with a wide range of taster sessions giving local people the chance to try out the new facilities for free.

Projects architects are KKK and contractors Willmott Dixon.