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As builders begin to put the finishing touches on the long-awaited new Wycombe Leisure Centre, the Bucks Free Press shows what the multi-million pound investment will bring to people in the district.

These exclusive pictures reveal the current stage of construction work at the Handy Cross Hub, with the big attraction of the replacement leisure centre almost ready to be unveiled to the public in January.

Work will continue over the next couple of months as builders finish work on the Park and Ride coachway and Waitrose complete the interior of its new store on the site.

Work on the £150 million development began in May 2014 and will be continued in the future as the old Wycombe Sports Centre is torn down and a new hotel and office buildings are developed.

With an eight lane 50-metre pool, 12-court sports hall and 150-station gym, Wycombe District Council say the investment of about £25m on the new leisure centre will bring big benefits to residents.

Bucks Free Press:

WDC leader, cllr Katrina Wood, said: “The sports centre was old and out-of-date, it cost a lot of money to maintain and it had passed its sell-by date and we wanted to give something more and provide something really spectacular for the people of Wycombe.

“It is so much more than just a leisure centre too. We’ve had to cater for all ages, as many sports as we can, so that there is absolutely something for everyone in there. I can’t wait for it to open.”

It is hoped that the leisure centre will be opened to the public in January with an official launch currently scheduled for March next year.

Paul Shackley, WDC corporate director for growth and regeneration, said: “It’s an investment in people and the community and I would urge people that haven’t traditionally come to places like this to come and have a look around because there is so much going on.”

Wycombe Leisure Centre includes an eight-lane 50-metre pool with moveable floor and sub-aqua dive pit, a 20-metre by eight-metre learner pool with moving floor 1.2 metre deep and a fun water area for toddlers.

It also has a climbing wall, 150-station gym, dance studios, 12-court sports hall, bowls (four rink), steam room and sauna, two squash courts, two party or meeting rooms and a café.

The Waitrose supermarket which has been built alongside the leisure centre is expected to be opened early next spring, with the company currently advertising for about 100 jobs.

Planned for the future, there will also be a 150 bed, 3* hotel and day nursery, plus an office development will be large floorplate buildings totalling 33,105sm, in two phases.

WDC say the aim is for the first phase of 11,000sm to be available in late 2016/ early 2017.

What do you think of the Handy Cross Hub and the new Wycombe Leisure Centre? Have your say by emailing andrew.colley@london.newsquest.co.uk or comment below.