THE new £16m Spiceball leisure centre in Banbury has reached a critical stage in construction and is on target to open early next year.

The three-storey centre will offer more facilities and a state-of-the-art training pool.

It will be a third bigger than the current centre, next door, and has been built on stilts to make it flood proof.

Last week, the new 6,000sq ft building reached a construction milestone — it is at its final height — and was marked by a traditional topping out ceremony.

Residents will have more fitness choices when the new centre opens its doors, including a 25-metre and a 20-metre pool, a 150-station fitness room, an eight-court sports hall, two squash courts, two multi-purpose studios and an exercise studio.

It will also have a health suite, including sauna, steam, spa and beauty rooms, crèche, small toddler play water area, viewing areas and cafe.

The 20-metre pool will have a flexible floor that can be moved up or down to teach swimmers in different depths.

Once the new centre is open, the old leisure centre will be demolished. A decision has not been made on what the land will be used for.

Banbury’s mayor Ann Bonner said she was very impressed building work had not caused problems.

She said: “It’s pretty impressive. It is going to be of such benefit to the town and is what we have waited for for a long time.”

Construction director Stuart Pratt: “It is on track to be delivered against the programme and we hope we will meet the council’s aspirations and everyone else involved.”