SPORT England has awarded Coleford Leisure Centre £500,000 of National Lottery funding to help improve its facilities.

The money will help go towards the centre’s ambitious plans to refurbish its 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 club’s 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.”

Sport England’s Improvement Fund, has invested over £49 million to date in 150 community-based projects across the country, encouraging more people to become active.