Significant upgrades to a leisure centre that will support residents to be active and stay healthy have reached their final stages.

Extensive structural and refurbishment works have been ongoing at Active North Yorkshire Ripon – The Jack Laugher Centre.

Initial plans to refurbish the centre were delayed in 2019 after a void was discovered which required complex groundwork to ensure the safety of customers and protect the leisure centre’s future.

The project is now approaching completion with the renovated lower ground floor to reopen in September.

The refurbished space will also include a state-of-the-art dedicated cycling studio, brand-new exercise studios, a sports hall and new changing rooms.

Our executive member for leisure services, Cllr Simon Myers, said: “This is fantastic news for communities who will soon have full access to these high-quality, modern facilities that we hope will enhance users’ health and wellbeing.

“From the outset, we wanted the leisure centre in Ripon to be brought in line with our other Active North Yorkshire facilities in neighbouring towns – offering a wide range of options and opportunities for people wanting to become more active.

“We are delighted that this long-running project is reaching its conclusion and we are all looking forward to the full reopening of the centre later this year.”

We have taken on the £23 million project after it was initially started by the former Harrogate Borough Council.

Cllr Myers added: “This has been a challenging scheme, but it is one we committed to as it ensures a vital facility will continue to be available for the benefit of residents of Ripon and beyond.

“We are promoting health and wellbeing for our communities with the launch of Active North Yorkshire, which will mean that all of our leisure centres are managed by ourselves to ensure that there is a coordinated approach for our service across the whole of the county for the first time.”

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The developments have been welcomed by users of the gym, including local resident Andy Travis, who is recovering from a liver transplant after a period of poor health.

He uses the site every day to continue to build up his strength – making use of the exercise bike, shoulder press and free weights.

Andy said: “Coming in here has been great and has been a key part of my recovery. I’m always made to feel welcome and there’s a great community feel around the place.”

Find out more about the facilities offered at Active North Yorkshire Ripon – The Jack Laugher Centre.