University students to get access to Commonwealth Games aquatics centre in partnership
University of Wolverhampton students will be given unique access to a new state-of-the-art aquatics centre being built for the Commonwealth Games as part of a long-term partnership.
The university is sponsoring the Sandwell Aquatics Centre, which is under construction in Smethwick and will host swimming and diving events at the Birmingham Games in two years' time.
Leaders will play a crucial role in helping to shape the legacy of the competition in an effort to bring long-lasting benefits to the West Midlands.
The 10-year agreement will allow sports students to study and train within the state-of-the-art aquatics centre, starting from 2023.
It comes as new images showing how the centre will look were released.
The £73 million pound facility will ensure the Black Country will play a key role in the 2022 Games, with stars from around the world, including Staffordshire swimming sensation Adam Peaty, to compete.
The centre will be opened to the public as a new leisure centre following the 2022 Games.
Dr Richard Medcalf, director of the institute for human sciences, said the deal would be a huge boost for the University of Wolverhampton.
He said: “This partnership between the university and Sandwell Council will transform our provision in swimming and diving.
"Our students will now benefit from a world class sporting venue in the heart of the Black Country; we will teach aspects of our physical education and school sport degree from the pool spaces, and the centre will become the home venue for anyone representing the university through WLV Sport.
"We look forward to working with the council and other venue stakeholders to bring to life the exciting plans which they have for sport in the region.”
Councillor Maria Crompton, Sandwell Council's deputy leader, said: “We are very excited for this partnership with the University of Wolverhampton and we are looking forward to developing a swimming and diving programme that will inspire students to get involved in sports across the region and to hopefully work toward competing at an international level.”
Councillor Danny Millard, cabinet member for skills and employment said: “Giving young people the chance to experience the working environment of this new facility is a unique opportunity and a really exciting prospect for the students that will be involved.
"The council is delighted that the University of Wolverhampton will have a presence in the borough through the Sandwell Aquatics Centre.”
Ash Rai, chief executive of Sandwell Leisure Trust (SLT), which will run the facility, said: “SLT is delighted to work in partnership with the university to develop and grow local employment opportunities and professional development for the leisure sector. This world class facility will provide the perfect leisure environment to gain experience and obtain keys skills for a career in leisure.”
Work on the project is set to be completed in spring 2022, shortly before the Games begin. The building will be officially opened for use by the public in May 2023.
It will include a 50m Olympic-sized swimming pool as well as a 25m diving pool, community swimming pool and seats for up to 1,000 spectators.
The Express & Star revealed last month that Games organisers were "monitoring the situation" around social distancing and supporters in venues amid the coronavirus pandemic.
It is hoped the competition will be able to run as planned as it is still two years away.
