HAMBLETON Leisure Centre has undergone a £2.5m overhaul with new gym equipment and 24-hour access.

Champion Great Britain runner Marc Scott formally opened the revamped venue on Tuesday, which has seen its facilities and equipment updated and improved.

The centre has also been renamed Northallerton Leisure Centre as part of its renovation to reflect its home town.

Runner Marc Scott, from Northallerton, is the 2017 USA NCAA Champion (10,0000m), as well as being ranked second in the 10,000m and third in the 5000m British rankings said that he was honoured to be asked to perform the opening of a facility he had spent many hours training in.

“As a local member of the community I am thrilled to be included in this celebration of the excellent new facilities,” he said

The centre now includes a state of the art gym that trebles the previous work out space and includes 24-hour access to enable the centre to provide a more flexible service to the community; exclusive member changing rooms; a refurbished pool changing village including changing places provision; maintenance work to poolside including poolside walkways; sports hall refurbishment; refurbishment of dryside changing rooms; new group cycling studio; toning suite and a new multi-functional studio.

Councillor Bridget Fortune, cabinet member for leisure, said the improvements were already proving popular with customers.

“The new look centre will help residents of Hambleton district and our Zest customers enjoy an active life in a comfortable and welcoming atmosphere,” she said.

“24-hour access gives people more opportunity to fit physical activity into their busy schedules and helps us in our ambition to get more of the local population involved in regular exercise.

"We hope people like the facilities as much as we do – and take on board the new name which reflects its status in the town.”

Hambleton District Council worked with development partner, Alliance Leisure Services Ltd, on the redevelopment scheme.

The lion’s share of the cost was borne by the council itself with £213,000 coming from National Lottery funding through Sport England – which is specifically targeted at improving the swim change facilities.

James Foley, commercial director at Alliance Leisure said: “Northallerton Leisure centre is now accessible, modern and inviting to all ages and abilities.

"The whole project has been delivered on time, on budget and in a live environment with minimal disruption to service throughout.”