A LEISURE centre has reopened after a £250,000 makeover that has seen it closed for three months.

Ribblesdale Pool in Clitheroe has undergone extensive modernisation and people were asked by the borough council for their redesign ideas before work started.

The centre was closed while work was carried out in the reception area and changing rooms.

The pool has also been re-tiled, changing rooms have been created specifically for the disabled and for families and work has been done to make the waiting and refreshment areas more user-friendly.

Sport England gave £150,000 towards the project with the remaining cash invested by the council who own the Edisford Road centre.

The pool was opened in 1972 and since then has had various improvements and renovations.

It was officially re-opened by Ribble Valley mayor Cllr Joyce Holgate yesterday.

Cllr Robert Thompson, chairman of the council’s community services committee, said: “We are seeing increasing numbers of people starting to swim again and the refurbishment has given us an opportunity to revitalise the popular pool.

“We consulted the public during the design of the refurbishment and their feedback has contributed significantly towards the quality of the facility.

“Ribblesdale Pool is popular with residents and swimming groups, and we now have a truly modern facility that will serve the needs of the community for many years to come.

We are extremely grateful to Sport England, whose generosity has made the refurbishment possible.”

Cllr Maureen Fenton, of the Edisford and Low Moor ward, said: “I am delighted that it has re-opened. I usually go to the morning sessions and I have noticed that numbers are picking up.

“It looks really smart. The important thing for pool users is it is now warm in the changing rooms.

“Families will find they have got better facilities.

“What the council needs to do now is make sure everybody knows about it."