AN opening date for the new Chard Leisure Centre has been revealed.

The centre, which is part of Chard's Regeneration Project, is opening its doors on November 8 2021.

Work to create the leisure centre began in November 2019, with South Somerset District Council (SSDC) investing £16.5million into the Boden Mill site.

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It includes a five-lane adult swimming pool, a beginners pool, a cafe with a children's soft play area, and gym with studios.

Councillor Jason Baker, portfolio holder for Chard Regeneration at SSDC, said: “The Chard Leisure Centre is one of the highlights of the Chard Regeneration programme and I am pleased to see it edging closer to being open and ready for everyone to enjoy.

“When we started the programme, we asked what the public wanted and I am delighted to see the delivery of the leisure centre which will help to strengthen the community and make the town increasingly self-sufficient with all the services, facilities and events necessary to make it a great place to live.”

The leisure centre will be managed by Freedom Leisure, which also manages Wincanton Sports Centre, Goldenstones Leisure Centre and Westlands Sports & Fitness Centre in Yeovil.

Ivan Horsfall Turner, managing director of Freedom Leisure, added: “We’re excited to be nearing the opening of a fabulous leisure centre.

"South Somerset District Council is rightly proud of what it has created and we are ready to welcome the local community and provide them with an excellent health and wellbeing facility."

Chard Regeneration is a strategy created by SSDC to bring significant changes to the Chard community.

SSDC has been awarded £1million of Government high street funding, and this has been match funded by SSDC, which means £2million will be spent on Chard's shopping area.

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The funding will be invested in and around Fore Street, including repairs to a number of historic buildings, renovating shopfronts and improving the streetscape to make it safer and more attractive to residents, businesses, visitors and shoppers.