FOLLOWING an extensive refurbishment, a leisure centre’s facilities are once again fully open to the public.

Tidworth Leisure Centre and pool has reopened, offering residents what Wiltshire Council describes as ‘improved’ sports, leisure and library facilities.

These improved facilities feature a new atrium roof and extensive roof refurbishment, new pool heating and hot water systems and newly resurfaced poolside walkways.

There is also wetside changing rooms, new lockers in the wetside changing rooms, redecorated fitness and viewing areas, and refurbished squash courts.

Councillor John Thomson, cabinet member for leisure, said: “We’re delighted that the newly refurbished Tidworth Leisure Centre is now fully open for customers to enjoy.

“We’ve been improving leisure facilities up and down the county and we hope the work we’ve done will please the centre’s regular users, but also attract some new members to make the most of all the great facilities on offer.

“We would like to thank our customers for their understanding during the refurbishment works, and our partners at Aspire Defence, the Defence Infrastructure Organisation and TNB Garrison.”

The works were carried out by Aspire Defence Services Limited on behalf of the Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO), TNB Garrison and Wiltshire Council.

Allan Thomson, chief executive of Aspire Defence Limited, said: “The project team from Aspire Defence Services Limited and their contractors have done an outstanding job in delivering a better, brighter amenity for Tidworth.

“This significant investment supports our commitment to making soldiers’ lives better, by ensuring they have access to high quality facilities, and these essential upgrades will ensure Tidworth Leisure Centre continues to operate safely, for the benefit of all military and civilian customers.”

The DIO is currently working on the Army Basing Programme (ABP), providing facilities to make way for army units who will be returning from Germany by 2020.

Across Salisbury Plain, the ABP will provide living and technical accommodation for about 4,000 service personnel and their families. The DIO and the army are working with Wiltshire Council to develop the required infrastructure and to help ensure services are in place as units move in. Other works also include the building of a new early years’ nursery and pre-school in Tidworth.