TWO Forest leisure centres are set to benefit from £1million funding.

Sport England announced last week it had awarded Coleford Leisure Centre, in Five Acres, £500,000 of National Lottery funding.

Meanwhile more than £500,000 of refurbishment work has started at Lydney Leisure Centre – thanks to funding from the Forest of Dean District Council in 2014.

Lydney Leisure Centre will see a new fitness suite, the refurbishment of two studios and the squash courts upgraded. Work is expected to finish by mid-September this year.

“We are excited to be starting this upgrade work and are looking forward to offering members a wider range of equipment and more workout options in the fitness suite and functional zone,” says Iona Jones, Freedom Leisure centre manager.

The money at Coleford Leisure Centre will go towards refurbishing the swimming pool, changing facilities and gym area. Local children will also be impressed by its plan to create a new vertical playground and adventure activity centre.

The centre was one of nineteen projects across England to receive funding from Sport England’s £6.5 million Improvement Fund. The latest round of funding placed a special emphasis on helping clubs improve swimming facilities. Nine of the nineteen successful projects have received cash to either improve pool changing rooms’ facilities or refurbish tired pools.

Sport England property director, Charles Johnston, said: “Thankfully as a nation we are becoming more active. Meeting this demand can be challenging, but thanks to National Lottery funding we can help Coleford Leisure Centre improve their facilities so even more people can enjoy a first rate experience of being active. Swimming is one of those sports that everyone can enjoy, whether you’re going length after length or a just having a quick splash about.”