WESTON'S Hutton Moor Leisure Centre is due to receive a £335,000 funding injection to refresh its fitness equipment and swimming pool changing facilities.

The investment is a result of leading leisure operator Parkwood Leisure and subcontractor Legacy Leisure agreeing a five-year contract extension with North Somerset Council.

Hutton Moor, which is the council's largest leisure centre, is used by over 600,000 people every year.

Operator Legacy Leisure also manage Scotch Horn and Backwell Leisure Centres. Its contract has been extended until 2032.

Parkwood Leisure is putting forward £135k to help refresh the site's equipment and changing areas, which haven't been updated in 30 years. The rest of the costs will be covered by Section 106 contributions from housing developers.

Additionally, Parkwood Leisure has already invested £100k in new state-of-the-art fitness gym equipment. They will also invest an additional £100k into the facilities during the contract period.

Councillor Mike Solomon, North Somerset Council’s executive member for Culture and Leisure, said: “I’m thrilled that Hutton Moor Leisure Centre’s westside facilities are set to receive some much-needed investment.

“We know that many of our residents really value the swimming pool at Hutton Moor, but the changing rooms haven’t been updated for more than 30 years.

"The fact that we can freshen up these facilities and hopefully expand them to make them more accessible is fantastic news.

“And gym-goers are also set to benefit, with an additional £100k promised for purchasing state-of-the-art fitness equipment.

“It’s great that Parkwood Leisure are putting £235k towards the projects. Congratulations to them and our council officers who negotiated the contract extension, which will see them continue to operate Hutton Moor Leisure Centre until 2032.”

Glen Hall, managing director of Parkwood Leisure, added: “I am delighted that we have extended our contract and relationship with North Somerset Council.

"Hutton Moor Leisure Centre is one of our premium centres within the estate and the investment into the site will make it even more of a central hub for the people of Weston-super-Mare than it already is.

“I am looking forward to continuing our excellent relationship with the council, working together to build healthier communities in North Somerset.”