WORK has begun on an £11m replacement leisure centre.
The new centre in Washington, on Wearside, will feature two hydro slides together with a six-lane 25m pool and learner pool with leisure features.
It will also have six 3rd Generation (3G) artificial grass, five-a-side football pitches which will allow football to be played in all weathers. It will boast a multi-purpose hall that can accommodate trampoline training to an international standard.
Funding for the centre was first announced as part of Sunderland City Council's £60m capital programme last year.
Design and Build contractor Pellikaan Construction which specialises in sports and leisure centres started work on the centre today (Friday, February 21), with an anticipated completion date of Summer 2015.
Councillor Harry Trueman, deputy leader of Sunderland City Council, said: "This investment is testament to the city council's commitment to sport and leisure and encouraging more people to be more active.”
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