Alliance Leisure Welcomes On-Site Start at £24M Haden Hill Leisure Centre Redevelopment

Alliance Leisure is delighted to announce that major works have now commenced on the £24 million redevelopment of the Haden Hill Leisure Centre, a landmark project that will deliver a state-of-the-art facility for the local community and support health, fitness and social inclusion across Sandwell.

Contractor Speller Metcalfe has moved on-site and begun initial strip-out and demolition of the existing facility, paving the way for full construction to begin in January 2026, with the centre anticipated to open in spring 2027.

The new Haden Hill Leisure Centre is designed to offer a wide variety of modern, flexible amenities to meet the needs of all ages and abilities. Key features include:

  • A main swimming pool and a learner pool
  • Two multi-purpose studios for fitness classes and activities
  • A 100-station gym
  • A 27-station indoor cycling studio
  • A four-court sports hall
  • A dedicated community room to host local groups and events

Procured via the UK Leisure Framework (managed by Denbighshire Leisure Ltd), the scheme is a partnership between Sandwell Council, Sport England and the Council’s development partner Alliance Leisure.  The project team also includes Roberts Limbrick architects, Axiom Project Services, Design Active Ltd and Greenwood Projects.

The £24 million redevelopment is being backed by £20 million from the UK Government’s Levelling Up Fund, supplemented by contributions from Sandwell Council and Sport England.

While initial on-site activity is underway, the core construction phase will formally begin in January 2026, with full delivery of the new centre by spring 2027.

From Alliance Leisure’s perspective, the project represents not just a building, but a long-term investment in health, equality and social value. As Julia Goddard, Regional Director at Alliance Leisure, commented:

We have worked tirelessly with the council and our other project partners to produce a scheme that will truly change the lives of local residents for the better.  The new centre will deliver a modern, inclusive, health-focused facility, and also generate construction jobs, supply chain opportunities and community engagement throughout the delivery period.

It is fantastic to see work start on this new community facility which will benefit thousands of people's health and activity levels and I am so looking forward to it opening to the public. Over the past decade, we have built five new leisure centres including the magnificent Sandwell Aquatics Centre. This investment at Haden Hill Leisure Centre will ensure we are maintaining our high-quality leisure offer to all residents of Sandwell across our six towns.
Councillor Suzanne Hartwell
Sandwell Council’s Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods and Community