Olympic diver Jack Laugher has praised our approach to improving health and wellbeing for communities with proposals for a multi-million pound investment in our facilities across North Yorkshire.

Speaking at the reopening of a health and wellbeing hub in Ripon that is named after him, Jack spoke of his support for a proposed leisure investment strategy that is set to see a total of £40 million in investment in sites, if our executive agrees to the plans in November.

Jack, who was born in Harrogate and educated at Ripon Grammar School, said: “It's wonderful to be able to have North Yorkshire as a county pushing forward the idea of people being involved in sport.

“Obviously in sport, learning to swim is extremely important, but also for our wider community as well with the all the way up to the elderly, it's fantastic to have people be able to access this kind of centre.”

A total of £36 million is recommended to be invested in four key sites as part of the planned strategy to provide the greatest opportunity for all residents to take part in physical activity.

The plans would see the funding focused on improving Active North Yorkshire sites in Selby and Skipton as well as Pickering and Whitby. The Pickering and Whitby locations are currently operated by Everyone Active and are due to become part of Active North Yorkshire in 2027.

The investment would pay for improved gym facilities, additional studio space and an overhaul of swimming pools along with better changing rooms. There would also be more accessible pool access including Changing Places facilities for people with additional needs and improved reception areas and public spaces across the four sites.

A further £3 million in funding is recommended to be invested in a phased programme to upgrade gym and fitness equipment across another 12 leisure sites overseen by us throughout the county.

The proposed strategy would also see more than £1 million invested in essential repairs at both swimming pools at the Active North Yorkshire Richmond site to ensure that they re-open to the public. Both swimming pools had to be shut following a partial collapse of the building’s ceiling in April and have since remained closed while we considered options.

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Jack made history at the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro by becoming the first-ever Olympic champion in diving for Great Britain alongside partner Chris Mears. He then followed it up with an individual silver in the three-metre springboard and two bronze medals, making him one of the most successful British divers of all time.

A series of structural and refurbishment works have now been completed at Active North Yorkshire Ripon – The Jack Laugher Centre. The leisure centre was officially reopened this month which marks a significant milestone for the city and the development has been welcomed by users, staff and councillors.

Find out more about the Active North Yorkshire hubs and how to sign up for membership.