More than 700,000 people visited the new Coalville Leisure Centre in its first year

"These results show that the investment in modern facilities is helping more people to be active in our district."

The £22.5 million facility, run by Everyone Active opened on the 14th of February 2022.

Between the 1st of March 2022 and the 31st of January 2023, 712,102 people visited the sports centre.

It is estimated that the figure will be around 780,000 for the centre’s first 12 months in business.

Duncan Gibb, Everyone Active’s contract manager, said: “It’s been a fantastic first year for Whitwick and Coalville Leisure Centre. We knew the centre would be popular but we’ve been bowled over by the level of demand and it’s amazing to see.

“We are thrilled that so many people are enjoying the centre and experiencing the wide range of activities on offer."

The facility has more than 4,000 fitness and swim members which is a 176% increase on the 1,450 at the former Hermitage Leisure Centre.

The new leisure centre also runs 2,143 swim lesson pupils which is 700 more than at Hermitage.

Councillor Andrew Woodman, Portfolio Holder for Community Services at North West Leicestershire District Council, said: “We are absolutely delighted with the success that the Whitwick and Coalville Leisure Centre is showing. It’s an absolutely top notch facility in a great place, so it’s no surprise that it’s proving so popular.

“These results show that the investment in modern facilities is helping more people to be active in our district than ever before.”