We were really excited to celebrate the official opening of Sandwell Aquatics Centre this week and delighted that our amazing trustee, Ellie Simmonds OBE, was there to represent our charity.
Sandwell Aquatics Centre is one of the Games’ major legacy projects and it’s now open for public use. It was the only brand-new venue constructed for the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games and hosted all of the swimming, para-swimming and diving events.
Now, those state-of-the-art facilities have been developed to create a community leisure centre for people in the West Midlands region.
Among its impressive indoor features are an Olympic-sized swimming pool, ten metre high dive tower, 25 metre dive pool, community swimming pool, multiple studios, courts, gyms, a sauna and steam room, changing facilities and a café. Outdoors, there is an outdoor park and children’s play area, with a new outdoor football pitch planned for 2024.
The centre was handed over to Sandwell Council earlier this month and will be operated by Sandwell Leisure Trust.
Credit: Getty Images
At the official opening event hosted by Sandwell Council, Ellie Simmonds OBE said,
“United by 2022 is thrilled to see Sandwell Aquatics Centre ready to welcome local people. It’s a brilliant example of the long-term, positive impact that the Commonwealth Games continues to have for everyone in the region. I’d have loved a place like this when I was starting out. Whether you’re a budding medal winner or just need a great place to exercise, it’s an amazing facility!”,
Nicola Turner MBE, Executive Director of United by 2022, said:
“Sandwell Aquatics Centre is an outstanding example of the positive legacy that the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games is having. The centre was always intended to serve the community once the Games were finished and, almost a year to the day since the opening ceremony, it’s welcoming the first public visitors. We congratulate Sandwell Council and the Sandwell Leisure Trust on the successful public launch of these brilliant facilities and welcome their plans to build on the Games’ legacy with ongoing activities, clubs and programmes.”
