£850,000 George Campbell improvement scheme will include large gym, exercise room and new changing rooms

Councillor Michelle Tanfield with New Vision Fitness staff (from left) Nathan Wainwright, James Amps and Hilary Wegwermer (Image: Archant)

The £850,000 makeover is expected to be finished by April. It includes:

*Increasing the size of the gym to house about 50 pieces of equipment, with a higher roof and a large glass frontage, giving lovely views over West End Park.

• Adding a new exercise class room, providing a more practical space than is currently available, with a high ceiling and a lot of natural light.

• Replacing the current swimming changing rooms with a new, “village-style” changing room, with individual cubicles, that will enable families to change together. It, too, will have high ceilings and plenty of natural light.

• Replacing the pool roof.

• Adding a new liner into the swimming pool.

Councillor Michelle Tanfield, Fenland District Council’s Cabinet member responsible for leisure, and FDC Leader John Clark were joined at today’s ceremony by other district and town councillors and Dennis Freeman-Wright from the Amateur Swimming Association, together with staff from the council and contractors GB Construction.

Cllr Tanfield said: “I’m really excited that the George Campbell is now getting the kind of revamp that we have all known it has needed for some time.

“It’s a major investment for us which will give people in March and the surrounding area the sort of modern, well-equipped centre they’ve long wanted and deserve.

“The improvements that are now under way will make a real difference. Not only will they make the gym and pool more attractive, they will also encourage more people to take advantage of the various exercise classes on offer there.

“We’re very grateful for the extra money we’ve been able to secure from Sport England, as well as the support and advice we’ve had from the Amateur Swimming Association.”

The council has secured a grant for £216,690 of National Lottery funding from Sport England’s Improvement Fund to help more young people get into sport.

Charles Johnston, Sport England’s property director, said: “We know people have a better experience of sport when they have good facilities in which to play. That’s why we have invested this money in Fenland District Council to improve their facilities to make them more appealing to young people, and help them develop a lifelong sporting habit.”

Dennis Freeman-Wright from the Amateur Swimming Association said: “We’re delighted to be working together with the council and Sport England on this big project. Anything that encourages more people to enjoy swimming is obviously very welcome – and I’m sure this will do that.”