P LACES
SANDWELL AQUATICS CENTRE
T
he Sandwell Aquatics Centre is the only new-build venue delivered for the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games. During the Games, it will be
the home to swimming, para swimming and diving competitions from 29 July to 8
The only venue to be purpose-built for the 2022 Commonwealth Games, Sandwell Aquatics Centre was completed in April 2022 – 100 days before the opening of the Games.
August. Hosting more than 60 events in total, it will be the stage for more medal moments
permanent seating for 1,000 spectators.
than any other Birmingham 2022 venue.
During the Commonwealth Games, these will be supplemented with an
A centre for everyone
additional 4,000 temporary seats, for a
Construction work on the £73m centre began
total Games-time capacity of 5,000.
in 2019. The facilities inside the impressive
reconfigured, the 4,000 temporary seats
Architects – include an Olympic size 50m
removed, and additional leisure facilities
swimming pool, 10-metre diving board with
added before the centre reopens as a
25m pool and “studio pool”. There is also
community facility in the summer of
a health and fitness club with a 108-station
2023. The main pool features a boom
gym floor, a 25-station ladies-only gym
and a moveable floor, which means that
area, an indoor cycling studio, three group
the length and depth of the pool can
exercise studios, a four-court sports hall, and
be varied, enabling a larger number of
saunas. Outdoor facilities include a full-size
groups of all ages and abilities to use it.
grass football pitch and changing facilities.
Owned by Sandwell Council, in legacy
Housing one of only two competition-
30
After the Games, the venue will be
building – designed by Roberts Limbrick
mode the centre will be operated by Sandwell
standard 50m swimming pools in the
Leisure Trust. It will also be used by University
West Midlands, the centre will have
of Wolverhampton students for teaching and
SPORTSNATION.ORG.UK JUL/AUG 2022
