Fifty years after George Campbell opened March’s first swimming pool, his legacy lives on – and he’d be proud of the £850,000 major improvements now under way there.

Cambs Times: David Campbell and Anne Gunn (nee Campbell) with Cllr Michelle Tanfield at George Campbell leisure centreDavid Campbell and Anne Gunn (nee Campbell) with Cllr Michelle Tanfield at George Campbell leisure centre (Image: Archant)

So said his daughter, Anne Gunn, and her brother, David Campbell, last Friday when they unveiled a board that traces the history of the centre and highlights their father’s contribution. The ceremony brought to an end a long standing debate over the re-branding Fenland’s leisure centres under a ‘new Vision’ umbrella.

Mrs Gunn said: “My father was always really passionate about improving the facilities in March and he would be proud of the developments being made.”

Mr Campbell said: “Having my father’s name on the centre is a huge testament to what he did for the town and the support from the local people for his name to remain on the centre shows their appreciation of his work.”

Mrs Gunn said: “The introduction of the ‘family’ changing room will add to the modern feel of the facilities and you can’t help but be impressed by the ‘picture window’ views of West End Park that those who will be working out in the gym will get – fabulous!”

She added: “My mother was thrilled to hear that it had all worked out so well. She is now approaching 90 and wasn’t able to come along but we showed her some photos and it made her day.”

The new board is located in the reception area. It tells how as a councillor from the late 1950s until 1984, George Campbell fought to improve life for the residents of March.

“One particular initiative was to provide the town and local area with an outdoor pool complex which was formally opened on July 21 1965,” it says.

In 1984 Fenland District Council embarked on a project to create an indoor pool but Mr Campbell died, aged 59, before it could be completed. In honour of his work for the town, the newly transformed pool was named ‘The George Campbell Pool’.