• The building is watertight, with pools ready to tile and landscaping due to start

• So far the build has employed the services of 40 local companies

• Ten local people have been employed for the duration of the build

North West Leicestershire District Council has given an update on the new £22million Whitwick and Coalville Leisure Centre - and the scheme is on target to be completed next summer despite the Covid pandemic.

One year on since work started to build the multi-million pound, special guests - including Coalville Nub News - were given an exclusive tour of the building, inside and out.

Work has progressed well on the centre, which is a partnership between North West Leicestershire District Council (NWLDC) and its leisure operator Everyone Active.

With the centre due to open in summer 2022, the building is now fully watertight, with the impressive swooping pool roof dominating the view of the centre.

Both swimming pools have been dug and water tested ready for tiling, and all activity rooms and the changing areas are built.

Solar panels on the roof of the building are contributing to the council's Zero Carbon agenda, alongside other energy efficiency measures including air source heat pumps and electric vehicle charging points.

In the coming weeks, passers by who take a glimpse in to the site will see that the external landscaping will start to take shape.

Councillor Richard Blunt, leader of NWLDC, took part in the exclusive tour and said: "It's impressive to see the progress on this fantastic building.

"You can now really get a sense of how the new leisure centre will make a positive impact on people's lives, providing state of the art facilities for health and wellbeing."

There has also been local investment during the build

Metnor Construction has employed six local people as operatives, plus four work experience placements.

One local man, Harry Nassau, has now secured a permanent job with Metnor Construction after an apprenticeship.

Forty local companies have been sub-contracted by Metnor Construction during the build to date, with bricks supplied by Ibstock Brick and stone from Bardon Hill Quarry.

Dan Hicks, Regional Contract Manager for Everyone Active, said: "It's important to us that our projects make a positive impact on the local area. By employing local people we are contributing to the community.

"We're very pleased with the progress on the centre so far and are looking forward to the next part of the build, where the centre really takes shape and all the finishing touches are added."