EBBW Vale’s £15 million sports centre was officially opened yesterday during a plaque-unveiling ceremony, two months after its doors were opened to the public.

John Griffiths AM opened the state-of-the-art site, which was under construction for 18 months and has a grass pitch, 25-metre swimming pool with two water flumes, dance studio, a pitch with advanced artificial turf, eight badminton court sports hall, gym and cafe.

Residents were able to have a sneak-peak at the end of August.

The AM was joined by Councillor Anita Hobbs, executive member for social services, children and active living, and a plaque was unveiled.

The leisure centre is construction firm Willmott Dixon's fourth and largest project at The Works site since 2008, after building the new Gwent Records Office, the multi-storey car park and the Ebbw Fawr Learning Community Secondary Phase.

The new swimming pool includes the UK’s first "Crazy Cone" slide with rushing water pipes as swimmers slip down.

The Argus reported yesterday how the £350 million Works site was completed with money to spare and a surplus of £149,000 will now be returned to Welsh Government.

A spokeswoman for Blaenau Gwent Council said in September that the opening day was "a great success".

The pool has been used by students at Coleg Gwent and and the Ebbw Fawr Learning Community since term started.

Leader of Blaenau Gwent Council, Cllr Hedley McCarthy said the leisure project is a key part of the Works regeneration programme.

"We want to ensure that both local people and visitors to the area have an opportunity to view the outstanding facilities available at the new Ebbw Vale sports complex," he said.

Managing director for contractors who built the sports centre, Willmott Dixon, Neal Stephens said in September: "We are pleased to have been a part of this project that provides outstanding facilities for the people in Ebbw Vale to enjoy.

"The project was a great success and completion was achieved on time in 18 months. We are looking forward to seeing the new state-of-the-art sports centre being put to good use and providing the members of the town a great space for all their sporting and community needs."