A “state-of-the-art” sports centre which benefitted from £2m (US$2.9m, €2.7m) of Sport England money has been opened to increase the participation of people in Chesterfield.

The £9.3m (US$13.6m, €12.5m) development of Queen’s Park Sports Centre includes an eight-lane swimming pool and a “supersize gym”, and was part funded by Chesterfield Borough Council, which is operating the site, and Chesterfield College. The 80-station gym contains cardio, strength and functional training zones, with equipment from Pulse, Wattbike and BOSU.

According to Sport England statistics, the number of people in Chesterfield taking part in regular physical activity is “significantly” below the national average and it is hoped that the new facilities can boost community participation.

A new activity studio, an eight-court sports hall and two glass-backed squash courts are also available to local people, as well as health and wellbeing operations such as midwifery services.

Students of the college’s Sport and Wellbeing Academy will use the training rooms in the centre during term-time days, using the facilities alongside members of the public.

Chesterfield Borough Council town centre and visitor economy cabinet member, Amanda Serjeant, said the “investment in the health and wellbeing” of local residents was a council priority because of the lack of physical activity in the area.

“We are training the next generation of sports and leisure experts who will be the ones providing services for local residents in the future,” added Chesterfield College principal, Stuart Cutforth.