Swaffham leisure centre to gain new facilities as part of £1.5m refurbishment

The refurbishment of Swaffham's leisure centre will be funded by a government agency with £1.5m being pumped into the building.

Located at Nicholas Hammond Academy, the leisure centre has been boosted after the building's operator, the Academy Transformation Trust, secured the funds from the Education Skills and Funding Agency (ESFA).

The funding will ensure the sports hall and changing facilities can be refitted.

A new reception, gym and activity room will also form part of the work.

Edward Thomas, of Academy Transformation, said: "We are delighted to have secured the necessary funding from the ESFA to enable a full refurbishment of the leisure centre at Nicholas Hamond Academy.

"This is an extremely positive development which we are delighted to be able to take forward as a partnership and provide a leisure facility that both the pupils of the academy and the wider community truly deserve."

To enable this work to take place, the leisure centre will be temporarily closed for 20 weeks, starting from tomorrow (Wednesday, September 18).

The Academy Transformation Trust has apologised for the short notice and state gym members will be able to use other Breckland gyms at Dereham, Thetford and Attleborough while the work is being undertaken.

Additionally, Swaffham leisure centre members will not be charged for their memberships during this period and can use the pools at Dereham and Thetford.

Mark Robinson, executive member for community, leisure and culture at Breckland Council said: "We're delighted to hear that the school has secured this major national funding, which will significantly improve the facilities for use by the school's pupils, while also bringing benefits to members of the public using the leisure centre."

The funding is separate to the Breckland Leisure Report and comes amidst calls for a new public swimming pool in the town.