A £9.1m health hub has officially opened its doors to the public.

Warsop Health Hub was launched by community champion Graham Hall (below) and Mansfield mayor Andy Abrahams. Tour of Britain cyclist Ross Lamb, Mansfield Harriers athletes, Deputy Lord Lieutenant Tracey Davenport, pupils from the town’s Birklands Primary School, and other partners also took part.

The hub includes a 15x8m swimming pool and splash play area, changing village, gym, multi-purpose hall, café, and community space area. A multi-use games area outdoors is free to use.

Andy said: “I am thrilled that we are finally at the opening event for Warsop Health Hub, months ahead of schedule. It has been a dream come true to see such progress being made to bring a community facility to the people of Warsop.

Pupils from Birklands Primary School (below) sang at the opening and members of its school council unveiled a plaque to commemorate a time capsule learners filled with artwork and drawings before it was buried last October.

Already more than 500 members have signed up to the hub and most local schools have also enrolled in swimming sessions from September.

A range of programmes to suit all ages and abilities has been developed to encourage residents in Warsop and beyond to get involved and use the new facility. The full programme is at www.mansfieldleisure.com/warsop-health-hub.

The project came from residents completing surveys and discussing their needs in 2019 — a study that Sport England jointly funded with the district council to review leisure and community provision.

Lisa Dodd-Mayne, executive Director of Place at Sport England, added: “Uniting the Movement wants to support all people to take part in sport and physical activity, regardless of their backgrounds, bank balance, or postcodes. The hub provides so many ways for people of all ages and abilities to get active and connect to their community.”

The hub was made possible thanks to £5m from the district council, £1.8m from Sport England, £3m allocation from the Government’s Towns Fund, and £103,967 from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government to create a dedicated changing place.

It is operated by Serco Leisure/More Leisure Community Trust.