Work is underway on a £19.7 million waterfront leisure centre in Newport, which will be one of the UK's first net-zero leisure centres.

Replacing an ageing facility, Newport Leisure Centre is being built to BREEAM standards and will be powered solely by renewable energy.

Expected to be completed in the spring, the facilities will include a modern leisure pool with a lazy river and slides, a teaching pool for children’s swimming lessons, and exercise sessions. There will also be a fitness suite, a community space, a café, and a relaxation area.

Councillor Dimitri Batrouni, leader of Newport City Council, said: “This is one of the most eagerly anticipated new developments in the city and will provide fantastic new swimming and leisure facilities close to the city centre.

“It will be a community space for residents of all ages, where people can maintain and improve their wellbeing, and young people can have fun in a safe environment.”

More than 55 per cent of the costs are being met by external funding, including £7 million from the Welsh government’s £110 million transforming towns programme and the UK government.

LA Architects have designed the centre, and the Welsh company, Wynne Construction, is building it.

People will enter into a triple height foyer with acoustic timber panels on the walls and ceiling. The building will also have a garden and an active exercise roof with ecological benefits.

Around 100 square metres of glass have been salvaged from the old leisure centre and will be transformed into key details in the new building, such as decorative wall cladding or a feature behind reception, by designer Dr Tyra Oseng-Rees.

The fused, recycled glass material produced looks more like stone or marble, says Oseng-Rees: “We’re currently exploring possibilities for colours, patterns and textures for the use of it as a decorative or aesthetic application.”

The site of the former leisure centre will go to the Coleg Gwent further education college to have a campus in the heart of the city centre.