Following a £2.9m refurbishment Carluke Leisure Centre has opened its doors to the public this week.

The centre, previously shared by pupils from Carluke High until they moved to their new purpose built school, closed in January 2008 for an extensive refurbishment which has seen the 'dry' facilities double in size.

Councillor Gerry Convery, the chair of the council's Community Resources Committee and South Lanarkshire Leisure Ltd, said: "The centre provides a great improvement in leisure facilities to Carluke and the surrounding area. This investment will give local residents the opportunity to keep fit and lead a healthy lifestyle without having travel to neighbouring towns."

The refurbishment, which was fully funded by the council, now offers a modern, multi-use, fully equipped centre which includes a new reception area which allowed for the sauna and steam room to be relocated to the swimming pool area.

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There is also a dance studio with sound system, sprung floor and mirrored walls, a fitness gym with resistance and cardio vascular equipment plus a junior area, changing areas for male and female customers with new showers and lockers and a beauty therapy area offering physiotherapy, massage and other treatments.

And as well as a new community room suitable for a wide range of activities and meetings, the refurbished main games hall now has new lighting and heating systems, improvements to storage areas and improved access doors.

The former school theatre area is now a sub-dividable function suite which includes a sound and lighting system for theatre productions, a small kitchen area, new flooring, decoration and toilets.

The centre also has crèche facilities, new male, female and disabled toilets and upgraded outdoor changing areas.

Gerry Campbell, South Lanarkshire Leisure's General Manager, said: "We operate sports and recreation facilities across South Lanarkshire on behalf of the council. This investment continues to demonstrate the commitment to improve services and widen opportunities for residents to lead a healthy lifestyle."

(GK/BMcC)