The new £8 million complex, which will include a 25-metre swimming pool, is to be built on vacant land at the junction of Alexandra Road and Thursfield Road in Tipton.

Construction of the leisure centre, which will also include a learner pool, gym, changing facilities, dance studio and community space, as well as a landscaped urban piazza, is due to start in January, with completion in February 2013. Once built, the pool will replace the existing Tipton Swimming Centre on Queens Road.

Willmott Dixon employs more than 770 staff across the East and West Midlands and turns over more than £154m, £80m of which is spent with local businesses.

Martin Adie, operations director at Willmott Dixon in the Midlands, said: “This is a fantastic project win for Willmott Dixon. We have extensive experience constructing such facilities across the UK, including building over 100 pools in the last 15 years, and we’ll bring this considerable know-how to our new project for Sandwell Council.”

Willmott Dixon has had a long-term presence in Tipton, and recently completed the RSA Academy in Bilston Road, Gospel Oak, on the site of Willingsworth High School. This academy was named construction project of the year at the Insider Property awards in November.

Sandwell Council Deputy Leader and Cabinet member for strategic resources Steve Eling said: "This construction is a really exciting project. It has reached a landmark stage with the letting of the contract to Wilmott Dixon and once completed it will be welcomed by everyone in Tipton."