The George Campbell Leisure Centre welcomed councillors, members of Sport England and gym users to its official grand reopening on Tuesday afternoon.

The £900,000 revamp was partly funded by a £217,000 grant from Sport England and Fenland District Council put up the remaining cost.

The leisure centre has already beaten its target to sign up 56 new members in June, having attracted a total of 86 for that month.

Michelle Tanfield, portfolio holder for sport and young people at FDC, said: “The renovation will be a massive asset to March and Fenland – a fantastic facility in a brilliant location, providing a leisure centre the town can truly be proud of.

“After it being kind of neglected for a long time, it’s a massive investment for the children and young people of the area.

“It gives a great view for lots of things to develop in the future hopefully”, she added.

Among the new facilities are a green and white unisex village style changing room with 26 individual cubicles, five larger family friendly cubicles and newly fitted toilets.

The modernised layout now sees the shower complex, which includes three brand new power showers, located on the poolside.

There is also a redesigned entrance and reception, brighter lighting and air conditioned flooring throughout the building.

The new air cooled gym now boasts 60 pieces of fitness equipment rather than 38, whilst the spacious redesign enables instructors to teach properly and gives users enough room to stretch and relax after working out.

Phil Hughes, head of leisure services for Fenland District Council, said: “The leisure centre is much bigger than it was before and it’s great to see how popular it is with so many people using it throughout the day already.”

Jonathan Couves from Sport England said: “These new and improved facilities are bound to mean that more people will come in to swim and exercise. So as well as encouraging healthier lifestyles they will bring in more money for the area.”

Anne Gunn, George Campbell’s daughter, was unable to attend the opening but sent a message on behalf of the Campbell family.

She said: “George’s family are thrilled with the improvements that have been made to the facilities at the centre.

“We hope they will be enjoyed by as many townspeople as possible. He would be rightly proud of what has been achieved on behalf of March.”