The topping out ceremony of Birmingham’s new £7.5m Sparkhill Pool and Fitness Centre, due to open in Summer 2017, has taken place.

Representatives from Birmingham City Council, design firm Roberts Limbrick Architects and operator Places for People Leisure attended the ceremony to celebrate the highest point of building work being completed.

When complete, the centre will include a six lane, 25m (82ft) pool with viewing areas, along with a learner pool, an 80 station fitness suite, dance studios, a café and community room as well as sauna and steam facilities. The complex is being built by Pellikaan Construction.

Deputy leader for Birmingham City Council, Cllr Ian Ward, said: “I would like to thank both council staff and our contractors for their continued commitment to making Sparkhill Pool and Fitness Centre a success. Through our partnership with Places for People Leisure we will ensure that we deliver good value, cost effective leisure facilities despite the considerable budgetary restraint that we face.”

Places for People Leisure’s business development director, John Bates, added: “We will work in partnership with the council to ensure that when the new centre opens next summer it enhances the health and wellbeing of the local community and exceeds all expectations.”

The operator – which has been awarded a 15-year design, build, operate and maintain contract for Sparkhill Pool and Fitness Centre – currently partners 35 local authorities, managing 113 leisure centres across England. Over the past decade it has built 14 new leisure facilities.