The beleaguered William Penn Centre project in Rickmansworth, Hertfordshire, is to receive £2.1m extra funding from Three Rivers District Council.

The decision to provide the funding was actually made in secret in October last year, but the information has only just been released.

The project, originally budgeted at £4m, was supposed to open in July 2008, but groundwork problems and a number of other factors – including a dispute between the council and developers Gee Construction – caused the project to be delayed for nearly two years.

The revamped centre’s new facilities will include a new learner pool, a poolside spectator area and changing rooms, a crèche and two additional exercise studios.

Hertsmere Leisure will manage the centre on behalf of the council.