A £1m investment at the Bedworth Leisure Centre in Warwickshire has funded a purpose-built base for the Nuneaton and Bedworth Healthy Living Network (HLN) and a new 50-station gym. Both were opened to the public on 13 February.

Until now, the HLN, a Big Lottery project in its third year of operation, has operated as a virtual network. It now has two permanent members of staff based at Bedworth Leisure Centre and its aim is to provide a stepping-stone in building confidence and empowering individuals who would not normally access mainstream leisure facilities.

The improvements have been financed by several partners, including Nuneaton and Bedworth Council, Sport England – through its Active England funding stream – Nuneaton and Bedworth Leisure Trust, the HLN, Warwickshire County Council, Building Sustainable Communities and the Inclusive Fitness Initiative (IFI).

The partnership is designed to deliver community-based and community-focused initiatives at Bedworth, with a holistic approach aimed at improving wellbeing.

As part of the project, the centre’s squash courts and changing rooms have been transformed into the branded Bedworth Health and Fitness gym, which offers IFI accredited equipment and a dance studio, while the former gym has been revamped and turned into a crèche.

Since opening, the centre has signed up 200 members, with the capacity for around 700. Members can also use the Health and Fitness gym at the council’s Pingles Leisure Centre. Details: www.nbleisuretrust.co.uk