After years of planning, the brand new Heston Pools and Fitness facility in Hounslow has opened its doors to the public.

Consultations on the £13.5m site – a partnership between operator Fusion Lifestyle and the London Borough of Hounslow – first began in 2012 as the two partners explored ways to replace the ageing Heston Pool, which dated back to the 1930s.

The council-funded centre opened early this year, as contractor Morgan Sindall completed plans from Studio E Architects.

The facility includes a 25m (82ft) pool, as well as a learning pool and a 100-station gym supplied by Life Fitness. There is also an extensive functional fitness space, large exercise studios, as well as the interactive ‘myride’ group cycle system with virtual trainers, routes and cycle tracks.

“The new centre provides a wide range of modern facilities and is something residents can be proud of,” councillor Ed Mayne, cabinet member for public health and leisure at Hounslow Council.

"It is a major project that we have been working hard to get off the ground and it is great news for not only Heston but for the whole of the borough.”