Work has begun at the former Meadowbank Stadium in a major redevelopment for a new sports centre in Edinburgh.

The team at GRAHAM Construction, which has been contracted by the City of Edinburgh Council to build the new state-of-the-art £45m sports centre to replace the 50-year old complex, will initially bring down the old Stadium. Work to is expected to begin in the summer on the new sports centre.

The new centre will include a new dedicated indoor athletics area, a new gym with triple the amount of exercise stations than before, plus a purpose built space for throw athletes.

Depute Culture and Communities Convener for the City of Edinburgh Council, Councillor Amy McNeese-Mechan, said: "This is another major milestone in our project to build a brand new Meadowbank – a venue that will become one of the country's top community sports centres when it opens in 2020, featuring some of the most state-of-the-art fitness facilities in Britain.

"The huge physical, mental and social benefits this project will bring to generations of local people simply can't be overestimated and I'm excited to see GRAHAM Construction on site and at work on Edinburgh's flagship new venue."

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In addition, the delivery of the new sports centre will also require some trees to be removed. These works will begin in early February ahead of bird nesting season and new trees will be planted as part of the wider development. This will allow an overall increase in the number of trees across the whole site. The Council is planning to recycle as much of the wood as possible and that replanting will take place once the new centre is built.

All materials from the stand that could be recycled, including all the seating, have already been removed and GRAHAM Construction will hold regular events as works progress to provide members of the local community with the opportunity to meet their team and keep updated on the details on their construction programme and employment opportunities.

Ongoing extensive consultation is planned over the following months with members of the local community as the Council looks to deliver a mixed-use site as part of its commitment to deliver much-needed affordable housing for the city.

What to expect from the New Meadowbank Sports Centre:

• Features will include a new dedicated indoor athletics area which will be larger than before and will allow many different athletics disciplines to train at the same time. It will be available for use whenever the centre is open as opposed to the previous space which doubled as a concourse for the stadium.

• Two games halls will provide space for a range of sports, designed to match the size of the halls in the previous facility.

• A new gym with triple the number of exercise stations will be built, alongside three larger fitness studios and a purpose-built gymnastics area more suitable for the gymnasts needs.

• Indoors the venue will also boast martial-arts and boxing spaces, two squash courts, a café and office space for Edinburgh Leisure staff.

• Outside the running track will be resurfaced and two new all-weather pitches for football will be available all year round.

• This is in addition to a dedicated purpose-built space for throw athletics such as discus and javelin and bespoke changing facilities for outdoor users.