£60m aquatics centre to be built for Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games

Details of the new £60m aquatics venue for the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham have been officially revealed.

Work on the new Sandwell Aquatics Centre is scheduled to begin in the summer of 2019, subject to planning permission, and the venue will host the swimming and diving events.

It will feature an Olympic-sized 50m competition pool, a 25m diving pool and a community swimming pool.

Temporary seating will be installed during the Commonwealth Games so the centre’s 1,000 capacity rises to 5,000.

The details were announced as the sport and venue programme for the 2022 Commonwealth Games was confirmed on Friday 19 October at a special ceremony in Birmingham.

Five Team England medallists joined Birmingham 2022 chairman John Crabtree and pupils from Mapledene Primary School for a sporting showcase at the National Exhibition Centre – one of the key venues for the Games which will take place from 27 July to 7 August 2022.

Sandwell Aquatics Centre is located in Smethwick, six miles from Birmingham City Centre, and will also feature:

• three activity studios;
• minimum 8-court sports hall;
• 125-station gym;
• 25-station ladies-only gym;
• indoor cycling studio;
• dry diving centre
• sauna/steam room
• new football pitch and changing facilities

Proud to play a part

Councillor Steve Eling, Leader of Sandwell Council, said: “Sandwell is proud to be playing its part in the Commonwealth Games with the development of a landmark new centre in Smethwick that will host all the aquatics events. 

“The brand new centre will be the icon of West Midlands quality provision that will serve both the Games and the community for years to come. We look forward to work starting on site.” 

John Crabtree, chairman of the Birmingham Organising Committee of the 2022 Commonwealth Games said: “We were thrilled to welcome local schoolchildren and Team England stars to help celebrate the confirmed sport and venue programme for 2022, bringing a tiny flavour of the Games’ sporting spirit to the NEC, one of our main venue clusters. 

“It’s another important milestone as progress continues towards Birmingham’s largest-ever global sporting and cultural event in less than four years’ time. 

“With the revamp of Alexander Stadium, plans for a brand-new facility at Sandwell and a tried and tested team of sporting venues across the West Midlands – all our collaborative efforts are focused on ensuring the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games will be a spectacular sporting showcase of the city and region.”