The new leisure centre at Freeman’s Place, Durham, has opened to the public.

The £12.5m Freeman's Quay Leisure Centre boasts an eight-lane, 25m competition-standard swimming pool, a learner pool, a four-court sports hall, a fully furnished dance studio and a 130-station health and fitness club and a changing village.

The flagship property, designed by architect Andrew Bottomley of William Saunders Partnership, replaces the existing Durham City pool at Old Elvet.

Sport England has provided £250,000 in funding towards the development.

The fitness facilities will be operated by Lifestyle Fitness, the management arm of Competition Line UK, and membership fees have been set at £25 a month for off-peak and £35 a month for anytime access. The club has been set a membership target of 3,000.

Equipment at the gym includes a range of cv stations supplied by Life Fitness, including its new Engage cross-trainers and Inspire treadmills.

The free weights zone was kitted out by Escape Fitness, which also supplied a reaction trainer for the site.

Frayser Reynolds, leader of the Durham City Council, said: "We have now fulfilled our promise, made four years ago, to create a new leisure facility in the heart of the city."