New £4.5 million leisure centre has been officially opened in the Harborough district

A new £4.5 million leisure centre has been officially opened in Broughton Astley.

The superbly-equipped sports complex was formally unveiled on Saturday February 29 after being kickstarted in 2014.

Ecstatic Cllr Clive Grafton-Reed, chairman of Broughton Astley Parish Council, said: “It’s going down an absolute storm.

“We couldn’t be more thrilled with the overwhelming public reaction we’ve had.”

He added: “People are coming to us from throughout the area, as well as Broughton Astley itself.

“They are already hailing it as a key local asset and the centre is exceeding all our expectations.”

For more photos inside the centre, click here.

The outstanding attraction will feature a four-court sports hall, floodlit outdoor 3G pitch and a health club with a 63-station gym floor and two group exercise studios as well as cafe.

“The feedback has been tremendous.

“People are telling us that it’s been built to an excellent standard and the building has been beautifully done,” said Cllr Grafton-Reed.

“We have already signed up over 1,000 members.

“We are so far ahead of schedule that we have already hit our annual membership target!

“The brilliant all-weather pitch will be coming soon along with other amenities on the site so it’s all coming together.”

The leading local councillor, who lives within a stone’s throw, said everyone from the young to the old has embraced the new complex.

“We have attracted a real split of ages.

“The building is active all the time, local schools are making the most of it and classes such as pilates and body pump are being held here,” said Cllr Grafton-Reed.

“This fantastic project has taken up six years of my life.

“But it’s been worth every second because our community has been crying out for this.

“It’s fast becoming a social hub as well as a sporting hub and people are loving it.

“I unveiled a plaque on Saturday while parish councillors both past and present were there.

“I’d also like to pay a special thank you to Debbie Barber and her team from our Parish Office.

“They have done a first-class job and we couldn’t have done this without them.

“We are delighted and very proud to have brought this magnificent facility to Broughton Astley.

“I’m sure it will continue to go from strength to strength.”

Mike Price, contracts manager for operator Parkwood Leisure, said: “We have already had more than 20,000 visits to the centre since we had the soft opening in December.

“We have attracted more than 1,000 members and it’s already a massive success story so we are very pleased.”