Knowsley Council has opened its new £16.1m, Broadway Malyan-designed leisure, spa and cultural complex on the former site of the St Thomas Becket School in Huyton, Merseyside.

Among the facilities at 6,600sq m (71,042sq ft) Knowsley Leisure and Cultural Park is a wet spa area with a steamroom, sauna and whirlpool, as well as treatment rooms.

The complex also includes two swimming pools; a six-court sports hall; and a gym with more than 100 stations, along with a separate spinning studio with 25 bikes.

A youth facility aimed at teenagers and offering spaces for music, arts and sports activities is to open on an adjacent site next month, with a performance studio among the facilities.

Elsewhere, an outdoor 400m velodrome and a BMX track located in the middle are scheduled to open at Knowsley Leisure and Cultural Park in December this year.

In addition to offering a range of facilities and classes for the local community, the venue has also been confirmed as the new home of the Mersey Tigers professional basketball team.

Knowsley Council cabinet member for leisure, community and culture Eddie Connor said: "It's great that we are now able to offer such fantastic facilities in Knowsley.

"Knowsley Leisure and Culture Park really does offer world class facilities and I'd encourage everyone to have a look around and use what's on offer."

Details: www.knowsley.gov.uk