THERE will be a complete refit for the gym at Tenbury Swimming Pool.

All of the exercise equipment is to be replaced with the up-to-date cycles, tread mills, weights and other training kit.

This will happen when Freedom Leisure takes over the operation of the pool and gym at the beginning of February.

The company has been awarded a 10 year contract to run the Tenbury Swimming Pool and Gym.

As part of the deal Freedom Leisure will invest more than £350,000 in the facility with the refurbishment of the gym part of that expenditure.

“It is great news for the pool and the largest part of the investment will be made at an early stage,” said Valerie Hayllor, a director of Tenbury Community Pool Limited.

She is one of five directors of the company set up to oversee the running of the swimming pool and gymnasium venue as a community facility.

The investment being made by Freedom Leisure will include the installation of a range of equipment designed to make the pool and building more efficient.

It will include temperature controls, electronic monitoring of the chemical dosing of the pool and new energy efficient lighting.

“There will be major expenditure to cut the running cost at the swimming pool,” said Ms Hayllor.

She said that the appointment of Freedom Leisure will secure the future of the facility in the town for the next decade.

“It is a very different picture to a year ago when we did not know what the future had in store for the pool,” added Ms Hayllor.

Another development has been a five-year commitment from Malvern Hills District Council to provide a grant of £68,000.

“This time last year we did not have any on-going commitment from Malvern Hills District Council and this gives us the time that we need to get the swimming pool and gymnasium into a position where it can stand on its own feet,” Ms Hayllor said.

“However, there will need to be a lot of fundraising because the pool is owned by the community and is not, as many people believe, a council facility.

“With the change of operator, the gym will be closed for a few days but our message is one of continuity and there are no plans for major changes.”

Prices will stay the same and so will the hours of opening and the range of services that are offered. The staff at the pool will be able to transfer to the new operator.

Ms Hayllor said that a number of local businesses including Orchard Valley Foods and Bowkett’s had provided sponsorship and there had also been a contribution from Tenbury Town Council through the mayor’s charity.