A £2.5 million re-vamp of Hambleton’s premier leisure centre has been given the green light.
The final piece of funding for a major overhaul of the Northallerton based centre has been approved with the District Council securing a £213,000 investment of National Lottery funding from Sport England for the scheme. It is one of 19 schemes supported nationally with £6.5million.
The lions share of the project’s cost will be borne by Hambleton District Council itself – councillors gave approval today (July 19) for the investment of £2.2 million to extend and refurbish the health and fitness facilities.
The scheme includes a new gym extension that will double the current work out area; two studios for group exercise and spinning classes; and new and improved changing rooms.
It means an improved programme of activities to help promote the health and well being of people of all ages and levels of fitness can be introduced.
“It is estimated that one in six deaths is caused by physical inactivity – and from research it is clear that areas with good quality leisure centres fair better in helping people achieve a healthy lifestyle,” said Cabinet Spokesman, Councillor Bridget Fortune.
“In Hambleton we are blessed with wonderful outdoor spaces to exercise in and the district council has always been committed to complimenting this with excellent indoor leisure provision.
“By improving and extending Hambleton Leisure Centre we can demonstrate this commitment – all the improvements will be moulded towards the needs of local people as we help them balance busy lives with great health and exercise opportunities.
“This is the final part of an investment programme which has seen the council upgrade leisure facilities in all five of our market towns. And we have worked hard with Sport England to make this happen.”
The project is split into two phases – to be delivered together. The first is a £413,000 scheme to improve and modernise the swimming changing and ancillary areas and it is for this that Sport England is contributing £213,000.
Sport England Property Director, Charles Johnston, added: “Thankfully as a nation we are becoming more active. Meeting this demand can be challenging, but thanks to National Lottery funding we can help sports club improve their facilities so even more people can enjoy a really first rate experience of being active.”
The second phase to extend the gym and improve the studio areas and changing facilities, providing the biggest and most modern facilities in Hambleton, will cost £2m – which is being borne by the council.
The authority will now seek a development partner to help deliver the scheme – with a target to deliver it by spring 2018.