The newly renovated Farnworth Leisure Centre was declared officially open at a special ceremony earlier today.
Work started last year to transform the facility by extending the gym and adding a new dance studio.
The project, funded by the government’s Future High Streets Fund, also includes new windows and a reconfigured car park with additional spaces.
Guests received a tour of the new amenities before a plaque was unveiled by the Mayor of Bolton, Cllr Mohammed Ayub.
The reimagined leisure centre is part of Bolton Council’s Farnworth Town Centre Masterplan, which was drawn up in 2019 following extensive consultation with local people.
In 2020, the town was awarded a grant of £13.3m from the Future High Streets Fund towards a number of development projects.
This also includes the regeneration of the old precinct to create Farnworth Green, a vibrant new town centre neighbourhood delivered by renowned developers CAPITAL&CENTRIC.
Bolton Council’s Deputy Leader, Cllr Akhtar Zaman, said:
“When the council consulted with Farnworth residents about the regeneration plans, they told us they wanted improved facilities at the town’s leisure centre.
“Now we have delivered on this priority for local people, creating a place that will have a positive impact on the physical and mental wellbeing of the community.
“This is an exciting time for Farnworth. Very close by, the Farnworth Green development is progressing well, building a vibrant and modern new neighbourhood in the heart of the town centre.”
Levelling Up Minister Dehenna Davison MP said:
“I am delighted that the upgraded Farnworth Leisure Centre is now open to the public.
“We are proud to have supported projects in Farnworth with more than £13 million from our Future High Streets Fund, which is renewing and reshaping town centres and high streets across the country.“The excellent new facilities at the centre, including a new exercise studio and an upgraded and extended gym, will deliver real health and wellbeing benefits to people in Farnworth.
“This is just one of the ways that we are levelling up Farnworth and breathing new life into the high street, with our investment also supporting the ongoing redevelopment of the Market Precinct.”
To celebrate the official opening, Bolton Community Leisure Trust, which manages the centre in partnership with Serco Leisure, have introduced a special joining offer.
Dave Singleton, Chair of Bolton Community Leisure Trust, said:
“To celebrate this official opening, all new customers who sign up for memberships before June 30 2023 will pay no joining or admin fees.
“Just visit the centre to take advantage of this limited time offer.
“If you haven’t been to Farnworth Leisure Centre recently, I’d recommend you pop in soon.
“You won’t recognise the place – this upgrade has transformed the facility, both inside and out!”
The leisure centre renovation project was completed on time, within budget and delivered to a high environmental standard by local construction firm Seddon working, in partnership with Clear Futures.
John Shannon, managing director of property services at Seddon said:
“Working on such a transformative and community-driven project so close to our doorstep has been an incredible privilege.
“Farnworth Leisure Centre is a key community attraction, and we understand the immense value its new fitness extension will provide to residents.
“At Seddon, we firmly believe that people make places. Projects such as this provide us the perfect opportunity to invest our experience and expertise into the local area which we are proud of.”
Keith Edwards, Clear Futures Partnership Director, said:
“The Leisure Centre extension was one of the first projects to be completed under the partnership agreement between Bolton Council and Clear Futures, a state-of-the-art facility in the heart of Farnworth Town Centre.
“Working alongside Seddon Construction, K2 Architects and Bolton Council we are extremely proud to have delivered such a successful project and to be providing an amazing facility that will benefit the people of Farnworth for many years to come.”