This is the latest picture of the £18m Portway Lifestyle Centre taking shape on the site of the old Oldbury Leisure Centre.

Work is moving ahead at the state-of-the-art centre despite the downpours over the summer.

Contractor Thomas Vale has erected the building's steel frame and is set to start on the brickwork shortly.

The centre will serve disabled and abled-bodied people equally, offering leisure, health and social care services under one roof.


It is due to open by late summer 2013.

There will be a full-sized artificial grass pitch, outdoor exercise trail, sports hall, hydrotherapy pool, gym and weight area, dance studio, sensory room, climbing wall and café.

There will also be a GP practice.

The lifestyle centre is a joint scheme between Sandwell Council, Sandwell Leisure Trust, Sandwell Primary Care Trust and Sandwell Liftco.

Sport England has provided £1.5m from their Iconic Facilities legacy fund for the centre.

Councillor Steve Eling, deputy leader and cabinet member for strategic resources, said: "Thomas Vale has faced some difficult weather conditions since work began but it's on schedule to deliver what will be one of the most modern leisure centres in the country."

(CD/GK)