THE new facilities in Holsworthy Leisure Centre’s gym were officially opened earlier this week with much praise from locals and councillors.

Leisure Centre manager Richard Bean said: “We are lucky to have these new facilities. There are now more members at the gym and more group exercise classes available with better equipment for anyone to use.

“Torridge District Council invested to help the gym replace the old, tired equipment. This allowed us to offer heavier weights and more suitable machines designed for diverse cardiovascular workouts that can be used by the more professional gym go-er or those just looking to improve fitness.

“Anyone from twelve and up can use the facility which is great for the local community.”

The leisure providers, who manage the site, 1610, hosted the opening ceremony where local and Torridge district councillors were able to see the new equipment for themselves — and have a go.

Chief executive of 1610 Tim Nightingale said: “1610 wanted to help make Holsworthy Leisure Centre a successful site. We put an investment in place in order to help upgrade the tired old equipment and improve the facility.

“Small towns like Holsworthy often get overlooked when it comes to investment in facilities like this. We feel it is important for the town to have easy accessibility to good facilities.”

GB triathlete Stephanie Hulford, who trains at Holsworthy Pool, officially opened the facility with a ceremonial ribbon cutting.

She told the Post: “I am supported by Free Access for National Sports people (FANS) of Torridge District Council and 1610 who pay for the gym and swimming memberships of athletes and national representatives like me.

“The new facilities in the gym will be fantastic for me as I am from West Putford — to have something like this right on my doorstep will make a massive difference not only for my own workout regime but to the local community, who now have better access to equipment and will be encouraged into the leisure centre.”

After the official opening and ribbon cutting by Stephanie members of Torridge District Council and the community were able to tour the new facility.

The staff of 1610 gave a demonstration of the new cutting-edge, latest range Technogym equipment. The councillors and public were able to see first hand how the new equipment could be operated and what new features the gym had to offer.

Torridge District Council’s standards committee vice-chair Cllr Ken Carroll said: “I’m sure the new facility will get excellent use as it’s a wonderful asset for Holsworthy and is sure to draw people in from the surrounding area.”

All the cardiovascular machines feature touch-screen displays capable of linking to the internet along with integrated TV systems and a range of apps and games.

The incorporation of the screen is hoped to give gym go-ers an extra incentive to use the facilities as it gives working men and women a chance to either relax and watch TV or continue working, using the web, while exercising.

Mayor of Holsworthy Cllr John Allen said: “The new gym facility offers top-of -the-range equipment and an opportunity for the local community to pursue a healthy lifestyle.

“The new gym complements the swimming pool, which recently underwent refurbishment, with plans underway to provide a new pavilion in the park to encourage more people to be involved in sporting activities, alongside the new play area and exercise Trim Trail already installed.

“Holsworthy Town Council, along with Torridge District Council, have made significant investments in Holsworthy to encourage people of all ages to keep themselves fit and choose a healthy lifestyle.”

The refurbishment has taken five weeks to complete at a cost of £100,000. The improvements follow a series of upgrades at Holsworthy pool.

Torridge District Council last summer invested £175,000 so that obsolete plant and equipment in the swimming pool could be replaced, improvements could be made to the heating and ventilation systems and a new pool cover could be installed.

They have since invested a further £100,000 to help the facility upgrade its ‘tired-looking’ gym and provide new equipment to suit the needs of a growing market.