Image: A 50m swimming pool is among the facilities

The new £26m Inspire: Luton Sports Village has opened to the public in Luton, Bedfordshire.

Managed by Active Luton, the complex has been designed by S&P Architects and was delivered by Wates within 22 months after construction work commenced on site in October 2010.

Facilities include an Olympic-size 50m swimming pool, eight-lane pool with integrated diving area; a high-dive training centre; a 20m x 10m community pool; and a large health and fitness club.

The gym houses a 100-station Technogym fitness suite, a Technogym group cycle room and a group exercise space for dance classes, as well as an aerobic studio. Other facilities include a multi-use sports hall and a community room.

Inspire: Luton Sports Village replaces a number of facilities in the area that are at the end of their economic life and which do not meet Sport England accessibility or competition standards.

It aims to address some of the serious health problems present in Luton, which has levels of obesity and type-two diabetes higher than the national average. It will also be the new home of TeamLuton, the town's largest swimming club.

Craig Swyer, Technogym product manager, said: "We're delighted to support such a significant project, contributing to the world class facilities with our leading innovative equipment such as Arke, Kinesis Stations and the latest in fitness digital platforms, Visioweb.

"Building on the great work of Active Luton this project will undoubtedly have a positive effect on the town."

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