Suffolk-based Abbeycroft Leisure has reopened its Leisure Centre in Haverhill following a multi-million pound refurbishment.

Abbeycroft's partners and leisure centre owners, St Edmundsbury Borough Council, invested £5.2m in a complete upgrade that has transformed the 37 year old building and the customer experience.

As well as a complete technical overhaul, the refit has provided improved facilities, new state of the art equipment and high quality finishes.__The centre was re-opened by former England goalkeeper Peter Shilton OBE who took part in a penalty shoot-out with the winners of a children's competition before officially re-opening the centre with Mayor of St Edmundsbury Cllr Pat Warby. _The impressive refurbishment includes a fitness centre that has doubled in size to hold the most advanced exercise machines in the country. Haverhill is the first gym to have the latest range of exercise machines from leading American supplier Matrix. The gym is also equipped with the best range of free weights in the area.

For the first time, Haverhill also has its own dedicated combat training and martial arts room, an area for table tennis, and a sports hall with a Beijing Olympics style floor, providing a fuller range of activities at the centre. For those who like indoor cycling there is a new spinning studio and all the studios at the centre are now fully air-conditioned._

In the pool area, the pool hall has been re-tiled, the flumes refurbished and a new pool-side spectator seating area created. The wet change facilities have been made into a high quality changing village, with individual shower and toilet facilities. The dry-side changing rooms have also been completely rebuilt to a very high standard. The new health suite is a fantastic place to unwind and centre users can treat themselves to a sauna, steam room and use the safe tanning tower.

But the facilities are not the only areas that have been modernised. The building itself has been given a makeover with the 1970s external façade given a contemporary look which fits with the other new leisure facilities nearby. The reception area has been re-modelled to be more welcoming; with turnstiles providing improved security and the building is now fully accessible to those with disabilities.

Facilities for families have been very much at the forefront of the newly refurbished leisure centre. A £650,000 Kids City three-tier indoor activity area and a Tots Town indoor play area have been created with an adjoining cafe called Coffee Street which serves healthy meals and drinks. A crèche facility is also now available Monday to Friday.

Warren Smyth, Chief Executive of Abbeycroft Leisure, said: "We have been overwhelmed at the response from Haverhill people to the new facilities. They have been delighted with their new leisure centre. It is a really impressive community asset."_

The programme of activities offered by the leisure centre has also been expanded to offer opportunities for all ages and abilities.