Houghton Regis Leisure Centre is now open for business after a £100,000 refurbishment programme by Central Bedfordshire Council.

Now managed by Stevenage Leisure Limited (SLL), which recently won the leisure management contract, the improved and revamped centre has a new membership model lifestyles@houghton which for just £17.99 per month includes unlimited use of the new 60-station fitness room with cardiovascular, strength and resistance equipment, a free weights area, as well as racket sports.

The centre was formally opened on Monday, 23 April by the Leader of Central Bedfordshire Council, Cllr Angela Barker, the Mayor of Houghton Regis, Councillor Andrew Roberts and Roger Gochin, Chairman of SLL.

The council has successfully worked in partnership with Houghton Regis Town Council and the centre's Action Group to keep the centre open, and the investment is part of the council"s commitment to keep the centre open to the end of March 2013.

Cllr Brian Spurr, Executive Member for Sustainable Communities, Services said "This leisure centre now has much better facilities which we hope will be enjoyed by everyone. The local community has played a big part in helping us to reach this point and find a positive alternative to closure. We are sure that the new operators Stevenage Leisure Limited will do a great job of running the centre from now on."

Ian Morton, Managing Director of Stevenage Leisure Ltd, added: "We"re delighted to have taken over the running of Houghton Regis Leisure Centre, it is another example of the excellent working partnership between the council and Stevenage Leisure Ltd."