Construction work is underway for the new £15m flagship leisure facility for Oldham town centre, which council bosses hope will be able to attract major televised sporting events.

Working to designs from Nottingham-based GT Architects, Willmott Dixon has begun on constructing the site, which is expected to be completed during Q3 of 2015. Once up and running, the new Oldham Sports Centre – at the junction of Manchester Street and St Domingo Street – will replace the existing Lord Street leisure centre.

The facility – to be operated by Oldham Community Leisure – will act as a physical bridge linking Oldham College to Oldham Sixth Form College, helping to deliver a coherent campus site with first-class facilities.

“A new state-of-the-art flagship leisure facility for Oldham is an important piece of the regeneration jigsaw coming together,” said Oldham Council leader Jim McMahon.

“Local people have been waiting a long time for new facilities in Oldham and residents are beginning to see a number of ambitious developments taking shape – like the cinema-led complex at the Old Town Hall.”

The facility is set to include:

· A 25m (82ft) eight-lane swimming pool of county competition standard
· A separate learner pool
· Main pool seating gallery for 250 spectators
· 150-competitor seats at poolside
· Sauna and steamroom
· Wet changing village
· Eight-court sports hall with flexible seating for 500 spectators
· 80-station fitness studio
· Group cycling studio
· Two group exercise studios
· Separate changing facilities for dry sports and fitness suite
· Four-rink indoor bowls hall