WORK is progressing swiftly on the interior of Northwich's new culture and leisure venue ahead of its opening of May 9.

The Guardian was invited to take a tour inside the walls of Memorial Court with Cheshire West and Chester Council (CWAC) leader Cllr Mike Jones and Mark McCall, project manager for Wates Construction.

Although the design of the building's exterior has proved controversial, the inside is shaping up into a facility to be proud of.

The tour started in the theatre half of the building, which features underfloor heating, a sprung floor, concertinaed seating, a large stage, acoustic panels on the walls and fully equipped dressing rooms.

Cllr Jones said: "What I find amazing is the amount of kit in here.

"That's no fly tower above the stage but a very sophisticated system.

"It's a much more specialised space than the former memorial hall, for the thespians it will be a more more appropriate space.

"Having a facility like this in Northwich will really encourage the community to take it to heart and use it."

There is also a bar in this side of the building, which passers by in Chesterway can see taking shape through the windows opposite the police station.

The theatrical side of the building is separated from the sports side by an indoor 'street', which proved a light and airy space even on a dull day.

Above the swimming pool is a large dance studio, which features a sprung floor, and an enormous room that will eventually be an 80-station gym.

Windows link the areas together so that people can see into the cafe at the back of the building, and the pool area.

This contains the 25-metre six-lane pool, a learner pool with a moveable floor, a flume and a seating area for spectators.

Both pools have been fully tiled and tiling is continuing in the pool area, where there are also acoustic panels to reduce the inevitable echoes.

The main pool will take a week to fill.

Mark McCall, from Wates, said: "The pool has been my favourite part of the project, the reason for that is because in many ways it's the toughest part.

"When we start it's a big hole in the ground and it's a challenge to get from that point.

"I enjoy the complexity of the challenge of the pool itself, from the civil engineering element of it through to the more finesse elements like the acoustics."

Cllr Jones said: "I think the facility itself is what I'm really pleased about and getting a facility like this into Northwich town centre.

"It's very difficult to make big buildings look pretty but I think this will grow on people."