The long-overdue refurbishment of William Penn Leisure Centre in Rickmansworth, Hertfordshire, is to be completed at the end of February 2009.

The £4m project was supposed to open in July this year, but groundwork problems and a number of other factors – including a dispute between the Three Rivers District Council, which is behind the project, and Gee Construction – caused the project to be delayed three times.

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

The renovated 25m will use ultraviolet water treatment to reduce the amount of chlorine used and thermal solar panels to preheat the water.

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