Additional £250,000 funding welcomed to further enhance leisure facilities in Harborough District

Everyone Active, Harborough District Council’s leisure provider has created temporary gyms at both sites whilst brand new equipment and additional exercise machines are being installed.

Excitingly, in a new development to the project, £250,000 of the capital investment has been reallocated to both centres based on need. The funds were identified to be used for solar panels at Harborough Leisure Centre. However, following a grant awarded by Sport England, Swimming Pool Support Fund, to finance the solar panels outside the project, this money can now be re-directed for use across both centres.

The money will be used to improve poolside areas at Lutterworth, including the showers, toilets and changing cubicles as well as improvements to the sports hall floor and reception area.

Additional enhancements at Harborough Leisure Centre now include dry side changing facilities, toilets and reception area.

Cllr Knowles, Leader of Harborough District Council said: “I am thrilled that further funding has been identified to provide additional enhancements to both centres. The project is progressing well and the feedback so far has been excellent.

We are pleased to deliver on our promise to invest in the mental and physical health of our communities by providing opportunities for prehabilitation and rehabilitation support in addition to enhancing the current provision for all ages.

Outreach projects are also being developed to benefit our rural communities whilst the solar panelling and new LED lighting are welcome steps forward in our ongoing commitment to fight climate change.”

The £5.9 million capital investment into the district council’s two leisure centres, at Lutterworth and Market Harborough, in collaboration with Everyone Active, was confirmed in December 2023.

Matthew Hopkin, Everyone Active’s contract manager, said: “The refurbishment project is advancing well, with temporary gyms and alternative class space provided. Feedback from the local community, both on social media and in person has been very positive. We are working hard to support visitors to both centres and deliver these exciting upgrades.”

Everyone Active is keeping members updated via emails and on social media, where they are also sharing visual updates of the developments at each stage of the project.

Feedback received online so far includes: 

"Impressive work. Well done to all involved and Thank you."

"You've all worked so hard and still provided us with our group fitness classes amongst it all. Much appreciated"

"Used the gym this morning, love the space! Well done guys" 

"Well done on setting it up so fast! Went to a group class this morning and it was great, a lot more space than I expected."

 

You can find further information on the dedicated webpages: everyoneactive.com/newlutterworth and everyoneactive.com/newharborough