PEOPLE across West Oxfordshire are enjoying new facilities after more than £750,000 of improvements to two leisure centres.

Both the Windrush Leisure Centre in Witney and Chipping Norton Leisure Centre were relaunched this week after being extended and improved.

The Windrush has undergone the biggest change, with its £560,000 makeover including a refurbished gym and better disabled access.

A further £200,000 has been spent on the facilities in Chipping Norton, which has been extended by 70 square metres.

The investment is part of £10.3m of spending on the district’s leisure facilities over the next 10 years, including a £8.27m extension of Carterton Leisure Centre.

Council cabinet member for leisure Jeanette Baker visited the refurbished Windrush Leisure Centre yesterday and said the investment would benefit the district invaluably.

She said: “We’re seeing the benefits very quickly and that is great news for everyone in the district.

“I’m sure these improvements will see a rapid increase in the number of residents using these great facilities and enjoying better health as a result.

“I’m particularly pleased we’re helping those with various disabilities to use the facilities. The more we can encourage people to stay active, the better – it can help with mental health, physical issues and socially and all of these are important for overall wellbeing.”

The Windrush has had its gym extended by 140sq m to create a mezzanine floor, new windows and air conditioning installed and a dedicated disabled access call point.

Its 2,800 users first got to test out the refurbished centre on Monday, while Chipping Norton’s 750 users began using their new facilities two days earlier.

The centres are run by the council’s leisure operator GLL Better, which runs more than 250 centres across the UK.

Ms Baker said: “I’m really proud of our working relationship with GLL Better.

“They respond very quickly to any queries that the residents of West Oxfordshire have.”

GLL Better area communities manager Rod Noble added: “This investment has given a real lift to the centres and I am sure users will see real benefits from the top quality equipment.”