A LEISURE centre in Neston is set to re-open this month following a £2.2 million makeover.

Brio Leisure will open the doors to its new-look Neston Recreation Centre on Tuesday, April 17, and welcome residents back following an extensive facelift.

Improvements include a contemporary frontage and reception area with new changing rooms, a revamped gym and spaces for fitness classes and community use.

Previously the facility was shared with the adjoining Neston High School, but the improvements now mean the school will have a separate entrance to the site.

Brio Leisure, which has complexes across Cheshire West and Chester, is eager to showcase the range of improvements at the centre and promote the facility as an improved hub for the public.

Company chairman and Neston resident, Anthony Annakin-Smith, said: “The centre is now a much more attractive place to visit and we hope many more residents will come and see what’s on offer.

“The improvements made will encourage more participation in sports and activities and in turn help improve the wellbeing of the 31,000 residents living in and around Neston.”

He said he was confident the centre would become a popular space for community groups, as well as those looking for first class leisure and fitness facilities.

Brio has been able to increase the opening hours access for members using the centre and which is now available from 6.30am every weekday, and from 8am on the weekend.

Centre Manager Lesley Finnigan said: “The new areas are really light and airy in the gym as well as a great viewing area for the pool along with upgraded swimming changing rooms, and a new community room for meetings and parties. There’s a new fitness studio on the ground floor which means we will have heaps of new fitness classes on offer – such as Body Pump, Body Combat and Clubbercise, plus we’ll have plenty of Yoga and Pilates.”

“There will be a dedicated spin studio featuring a virtual spinning experience with MyRide. These are great for beginners to learn the ropes as well as for members wanting to fit in a spin class at a time that suits them.”

Brio is also offering the rest of April for free to those fitness fans signing up to a membership by April 16. Following that, these members will also receive over 37 per cent discount off the Premier Membership for six months, meaning they’ll get access to these fantastic new facilities for £19.99 per month through to October.

Managing Director of Brio Leisure, Elly McFahn, said: “This is the first major refurbishment in this building since it was opened in 1974 and reinforces Brio’s commitment to supporting fitness, fun and health for the whole community.”

Investment includes £500,000 worth of National Lottery funding from Sport England particularly to improve the experience for swimmers.

Brio and Cheshire West and Chester Council (CWaC) have been working in partnership with Neston Town Council and Neston High School on the refurbishments.

Lisa Harris, Director of Places Strategy, said: “The multi-million pound improvements to the recreation centre in Neston will deliver a modern centre which the whole community can enjoy.

“The revamped facilities on offer will help to improve people’s health and wellbeing, support the recommendations outlined in Neston’s Neighbourhood Plan and become a community hub for the people of Neston.”

The works at Neston are the latest investment by CWaC in the borough’s sports and leisure facilities. Brio Leisure is wholly owned by the council and operates 12 facilities including new state-of-the art centres such as Ellesmere Port Sports Village and Northwich Memorial Court as well as Winsford Lifestyle Centre.

As a Community Interest Company, Brio says it is committed to improving the health and wellbeing of residents across Cheshire West and Chester.