The number of people in Dundee taking part in swimming has jumped 17.5 per cent, with the boom being attributed to the city’s £31m Olympia development.

The swimming centre opened in June 2013 and has been an instant hit. City figures show that between April and December, an average of more than three swimming trips were taken for every person.

The facility, which features a 50m main pool as well as a wave pool, rapid river, dive pool and four flumes, attracted over 8,000 swimmers in its first week of operation.

The jump in numbers helps to highlight the impact investments in single facilities can have on a wider city, with Dundee reaping far-reaching health benefits since the Olympia opened.

“The response to the new Olympia has been really positive, and we are seeing so many people going along – the staff down there have been really busy at all times,” local councillor Stewart Hunter told the Evening Telegraph.

“It is a great facility for Dundee, and it gets people from out of the city coming along too. The region is benefiting from it as well, not just the city itself. It’s great that people are taking to it, and shows that all the hard work put in has been totally worth it.”

The current Olympia was created in order to replace an old facility located on East Whale Lane.