SPRINGTIME will see new facilities crop up in Prudhoe, as nearly £1m of investment is poured into the town’s leisure centre.

In a matter of months Prudhoe Waterworld will undergo a £915,589 revamp.

This is one of a number of major capital investment schemes at Active Northumberland leisure facilities across the county.

Work is anticipated to begin by spring this year and will take an estimated 14 weeks to complete.

The existing gym, studio and toilet will be combined to create one large space for cardio and resistance equipment.

Two multi-purpose studio spaces will be formed in the footprint of what is currently the creche and second gym.

The creche will be transformed into a space for activities, such as spinning and yoga classes.

Creche sessions will continue to operate from this space, reduced to a few sessions per week.

The second multi-purpose studio will accommodate resistance and general gym machines.

The scheme will be run by a specialist design team, working closely with Active Northumberland and Northumberland County Council.

It is hoped that improving the facilities at the well-used leisure centre will increase footfall by 18,000 visits.

This surge in attendance is anticipated to reduce the level of subsidy paid by the council to Active Northumberland.

While the redevelopment is under way, £370,000 of urgent remedial works identified in a 2012 Leisure Conditions survey will also be carried out.

This will be provided by the county council’s leisure remedial capital programme.

The proposal was approved by the meeting of the Capital Works Programme Working Group on January 14.

County councillor Tony Reid, who represents Prudhoe South ward, was at the meeting.

He said: “I’m really pleased with the decision.

“It’s long overdue and will be a very positive resource for Prudhoe.”

The decision to invest in Prudhoe Waterworld was made before Active Northumberland reportedly asked Northumberland County Council for a £1m bailout.

However, Northumberland County Council has stated that the two issues are not connected.

Acting chief executive, Active Northumberland, Stuart Crichton, said: “Active Northumberland’s debt is a significant challenge, but it is a revenue-based issue, independent of capital, which is for one-off projects.

“It should not be confused with capital funding for projects such as this which can come from a range of sources.

“The £900,000 for Prudhoe Waterworld is based on previous investment decisions and is being spent as planned on the reconfiguration of the centre, facility improvements and essential maintenance.

“We invest capital to ensure that we are providing excellent leisure centres, to enable savings and to improve our income by providing better services and facilities for our users.”