A new £6.8m leisure centre in Driffield, East Yorkshire, has opened its doors to the public.

Driffield Leisure Centre has a six-lane, 25m swimming pool, a learner pool and a spectator balcony, as well as ‘village style’ changing rooms.

Manager Kevin Dunning said: “The learner pool will make a massive difference to new swimmers. It helps so much with confidence if they learn to swim in their depth.”

The new Tone Zone fitness suite includes 48 pieces of cv equipment, including treadmills, bikes and cross-trainers, equipped with individual LCD TV screens.

A four-court indoor sports hall and a floodlit outdoor multi-sport area provide space for activities like hockey and football.

Driffield Secondary School, which is located on a neighbouring site, will have access to the new sports hall and four lanes of the swimming pool during term time, while a studio for exercise classes and two lanes of the pool will remain available to the general public.

Project manager P’nina Drye said: “The scheme has been extremely challenging in terms of its design and construction. I am hopeful that a scheme such as this will encourage people back into sports.”

The new build came about as a result of residents and town councillors launching a campaign for new facilities when health and safety issues forced the closure of the town’s existing swimming pool.

Image: Simon Kench