A LEISURE centre in Malvern is to receive a £2 million revamp to refurbish its facilities.

Malvern Splash is set for a major overhaul as part of a transformation by Malvern Hills District Council and Freedom Leisure.

The scheme will include full refurbishment of the swimming pool changing rooms including dedicated changing facilities for people with disabilities and additional family changing areas.

There will also be a new interactive water play feature for younger swimmers and a new wave machine to enhance the experience for swimmers. The pool side area itself will also be revamped.

Improvements are also planned behind the scenes to the pool plant room, pumps and UV filter which amongst other things, will help improve water quality.

A range of energy efficiency features will also be installed to help reduce the centre’s carbon footprint including LED lighting and improved glazing.

Malvern Hills District Council, which owns the building, is funding and overseeing the project which was approved by members of the council’s Executive Committee at a meeting on January 21.

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Cllr Sarah Rouse, leader of Malvern Hills District Council, said: “The Splash is one of the jewels in our crown and this investment will not only deliver first class facilities but a much improved experience for users. It will also support our efforts to make the council’s own operations carbon neutral by 2030.”

Ivan Horsfall Turner, managing director at Freedom Leisure, said: “Malvern Splash has seen some considerable investment since we started operating the centre and it is fantastic that this will now extend to the pool and changing village. We will be working closely with Malvern Hills District Council to deliver on their continued investment into the centre for the benefit of the local community.”

Malvern Splash opened in 1989 and while changes have been made to the building in recent years they have mainly been to the reception and fitness areas.

Some parts of the project, such as the new wave machine, will be put in place over the coming weeks, but work on the bulk of the improvements is expected to start by the end of this year and be completed by February half-term 2021. The pool will be closed during this period but dates and further information will be provided nearer the time.