A MAJOR £2.5m revamp is to be carried out at one of North Yorkshire’s premier leisure centres.

The final piece of funding for a major overhaul of the Northallerton centre has been approved with the district council securing £213,000 of National Lottery funding from Sport England.

However the lion’s share of the cost will be borne by the authority itself – councillors have agreed to spend £2.2 m on the project.

The scheme includes a new gym extension that will double the current workout area, two studios for group exercise and spinning classes and new and improved changing rooms.

It will lead to an improved programme of activities to help promote the health and well-being of people of all ages and levels of fitness being introduced.

“In Hambleton we are blessed with wonderful outdoor spaces to exercise in and the district council has always been committed to complimenting this with excellent indoor leisure provision, said local cabinet member Clr Bridget Fortune.

“By improving and extending Hambleton Leisure Centre we can demonstrate this commitment - all the improvements will be moulded towards the needs of local people as we help them balance busy lives with great health and exercise opportunities.

The project will be split into two phases to be delivered together. The first is a £413,000 scheme to improve and modernise the swimming changing and ancillary areas –for which Sport England is contributing its cash.

The second phase to extend the gym and improve the studio areas and changing facilities, providing the biggest and most modern facilities in Hambleton, will cost £2m.

The authority hopes to complete the scheme by spring next year.