The official opening of a new fitness gym and multi-purpose studio at Penrith Leisure Centre is set to take place on Tuesday 6 November, following a £224,000 investment to improve existing facilities.

The funding was made up of £159,000 for new equipment provided by Eden District Council and £65,000 to cover decoration and building works from North Country Leisure (NCL) Eden, the charity which took over the leisure management contract from 1 April 2012. The development work forms just one of several joint ventures taking place between Eden District Council and NCL.

The new gym, is almost double the size of the previous facility at 280sq m and includes brand new state of the art equipment. The space is divided into five zoned areas including resistance, cardio, performance and a zone incorporating a UK first in "Synrgy360", which combines several pieces of resistance equipment in one unit. This creates an area where individuals or small groups can exercise together for a more varied workout. Finally there is an 'interactive zone' incorporating four virtual cycling "Trixter" bikes, which were also launched at Appleby Leisure Centre, when their new gym opened this summer.

The new activity studio was created by converting a rarely used changing room. This area now provides a 75sq m space that can be used for a range of activities including indoor cycling and dance, with a busy programme of fitness classes taking place each week.

Cllr Keith Morgan, Chairman of Eden District Council, who will carry out the official opening ceremony, said: "The new state of the art equipment and additional space to exercise creates even more choice and opportunities for local people to stay healthy and active. The new developments would not have been possible without substantial investment from Eden District Council and NCL, clearly demonstrating the importance both organisations place on the provision of high quality leisure services for our District."

Chair of the NCL Eden Area Board Ian White added: "The new gym at Appleby and the Penrith gym and studio developments are just the start of a range of initiatives taking place during 2012-13 to enhance leisure facilities across Eden. Our new Eden Contracts Manager Tim Bestford, who was recruited in October, will oversee future projects across all buildings in the leisure management contract and I am looking forward to further partnership working with Eden District Council to achieve 'Excellent Sports and Leisure for All' in Eden".