Oldbury’S new state-of-the-art £15m leisure, health and well-being centre is a step closer after two years of delays.

Wrangles over Government funding meant construction work on the The Portway Lifestyle Centre, Newbury Lane, was delayed but this week a contractor has been appointed to build the centre.

Project bosses are hoping that the integrrated health and leisure centre will be open to the public in 2012.

Midlands-based firm Thomas Vale will build the faciltiy which will include a sports hall, hydrotherapy pool, gym, weights area, dance studio, climbing wall and football pitches.

The brand new centre is set to replace Oldbury Leisure Centre and the innovative public-private funding model used to make the Portway a reality has won national accolades.

And the centre will also house a purpose-built doctors surgery, The Portway Family Practice, currently Tividale Family Practice.

Sandwell Council, Sandwell Leisure Trust, Sandwell Primary Care Trust and Sandwell Local Improvement Finance Trust (Lift) are all working together on the project, which is one of the first in the country of its kind.

Sandwell Council’s cabinet member for adult services and health Cllr Derek Rowley said: “The project is making good progress with the money in place and a preferred contractor ,Thomas Vale, appointed.

“Design work is under way and this will continue in the new year, alongside Liftco and Thomas Vale.”

A community group has been set up to help shape services at the lifestyle centre.

The group, including people who use day services, the voluntary sector, GP patients, and carers representatives, will be asked about issues including timetabling, activities and accessibility.

For further information visit www.sandwell.gov.uk or contact Stephen Horsley by telephoning 0121 569 5515