Darwen's New Leisure £12.7m Leisure Centre to open on 29 Jan

The fantastic three-storey complex has state-of-the-art sport and leisure facilities including an impressive 25 metre swimming pool; a small pool; a main gym with eighty pieces of equipment; a multi-purpose fitness studio; a multi-use sports hall and activity rooms available for a range of courses and room hire.

The main swimming pool, which has eight-lanes and a movable floor (funded by Sport England), can be used for competitions and has electronic timing equipment, a video and results scoreboard and spectator seating for up to 250.

Materials fitted in the two swimming pool areas have been chosen to aid acoustics so that loud noises are dulled but low frequencies are carried, meaning swimming teachers do not have to shout.

More than £250,000 has been spent on gym equipment and a large health suite. The health suite includes sauna, steam and a massage, aromatherapy and treatment area.

Councillor Paul Browne, Liberal Democrat lead member for leisure and culture said: "Local people have fought hard for this brand new sport and leisure centre, and it will benefit the whole borough. And as well as providing a superb facility it will support the local economy and the regeneration of Darwen town centre."

"It's been completed on schedule and within budget and is one of the best sports and leisure centres in the area. I am confident it will be very well used by people from the borough and beyond."

Gym memberships are now on sale for the new Darwen Leisure Centre starting from just £20 a month. For further information telephone (01254) 874900