THE highest point of the new £14 million Bulmershe Leisure Centre has been completed, with students, councillors and project teams invited to mark the key milestone.

Councillor Parry Batth, executive member for environment and leisure, was among the attendees at the topping out ceremony which took place on Tuesday, July 9.

Wokingham Borough Council is building the new centre in Woodley on the site of the former one in Woodlands Avenue, which was knocked down last summer.

It will include a six-lane 25-metre swimming pool, a teaching pool with movable floor, a bigger gym plus a ‘live well’ (long-term condition) gym, a four-court sports hall and an additional studio and café.

It will benefit the whole community by providing up-to-date, accessible and flexible facilities, as well as preventative health services.

Cllr Batth said: "This is such an exciting milestone in the development process.

"I am delighted to have been able to take part in the ceremony, and see so many smiles on the faces of children and young people, who will hugely benefit from this facility."

The building works are progressing well and the new centre is due to open next summer, when it will be run by the council's partner, Places Leisure.

In the meantime former Bulmershe users can use facilities at the St Crispin's, Loddon Valley and Carnival Pool, Ryeish Green and Arborfield leisure centres.