EXTRA funding from Sport England means the refurbishment pot for Ledbury Swimming Pool now stands at £2.63m, and the revamped centre will be even more accommodating for disabled swimmers and other centre users.

Sport England has just awarded £500,000 of National Lottery funding to help Ledbury Swimming Pool transform its facilities by next April.

The pool is run by Halo, on behalf of Herefordshire Council.

Alex Haines, Halo Partnership Manager said: "The money will help modernise changing facilities, which despite serving the community well, are in need of an update. The new village style changing rooms will offer more flexibility for families and school groups, as well as being more accommodating for disability swimmers and centre users.

"The centre, which sees over 100,000 customers coming through its doors every year, is confident that the new facilities will encourage more people to get more active more often."

Mr Haines added: “This Sport England funding means we are currently investing in the region of £2.63m into the facility. As we speak the Halo team are now upgrading and extending the gym and exercise studio, giving the reception and changing facilities a makeover and building a new sauna and steam room.

“While work is taking place local people can still work out at Halo’s temporary fitness facility, with all the Halo kit on sitem at the Youth Centre on Bye Street, just behind the pool."

The building work which includes an extension started in June 2016 and will be completed by April 2017.

Herefordshire Councillor Harry Bramer, cabinet member for contracts and assets, said: "This is fantastic news and a great boost for this already exciting project and I am very much looking forward to when the new development opens and to see the benefits this new leisure facility will bring to the community"

The centre was one of only 22 projects across England to receive funding from Sport England’s £7.5 million Improvement Fund. The latest round of funding placed a special emphasis on improving swimming facilities.

Sport England property director, Charles Johnston, said: “Thankfully as a nation we are becoming more active. Meeting this demand can be challenging, but thanks to National Lottery funding we can help Ledbury Swimming Pool improve their facilities so even more people can enjoy a really first rate experience of being active. Swimming is one of those sports that everyone can enjoy, whether you’re going length after length or a just having a quick splash about.”