THERE’S a new look to the Huddersfield skyline.

The University of Huddersfield’s new £22.5m Leisure and Learning Centre has reached a key project milestone.

And the erection of the structural steel frame, now visible from Wakefield Road, is dominating the ring road.

Click below for more pictures.

Related content

It is the latest huge development on the Queensgate campus and the latest massive investment by the university on its expanding student population.

The new building will curl around the historic Ramsden Building which fronts on to the ring road.

It is also being built around the sports hall overlooking the Shorehead roundabout.

Contractors GB Building Solutions are using a dual-lift crane operation to position the 37-metre steel trusses that form the structural framework for the new sports hall.

The beams are spliced together with a temporary bolt connection, which is welded to form a permanent connection.

The new leisure centre will have six levels when it opens in summer 2014.

The lowest will be a new 300 square-metre catering facility, which will be much larger and more flexible than existing facilities.

It will be used by students and staff.

Floors two and three are dedicated to sports with the inclusion of a 100-person fitness suite, squash courts, dance studios, new sports hall and changing and shower areas.

The upper floors will house a combination of social, catering and learning space with links through to the existing library.

The university will also create a new and expanded student services centre.

The existing sports hall will be demolished as part of the project.

GB Building Solutions project manager Chris Gallagher said: “This is the most technically challenging part of the build so it is good to see the works under way and the structural frame coming to a close.”

The project is due for completion in July next year.