The opening date for Workington's new leisure centre has been revealed.

It will open its doors on Saturday, September 3.

The opening date of the £11.3 million facility was put back earlier this year because of the “complexity” of the structure.

The news has been welcomed by those involved in the ambitious project, especially Allerdale council leader Alan Smith.

Councillor Smith said the centre on The Cloffocks, would not look out of place in any big city and that the quality even exceeds those in the private sector.

He said: “I am so proud that the day is nearly here when we can throw open the doors of this amazing building to the people of Allerdale and beyond.

“This project has been in the planning for so many years, I can’t wait to see the expressions on the visitors’ faces when they see how fantastic the facilities are.”

The new centre includes the only eight-lane, 25m pool in the county.

Shaun Winstanley, club secretary and coach at Workington Amateur Swimming Club, said the move to the new centre “changes everything” for the club’s 120 members.

“Exciting times are ahead,” he said. “Training will hopefully be a lot better as we have the ability there for more swimmers and we will get a lot more out of it. There’s lots of possibilities for us as a squad.”

It replaces the crumbling leisure centre at Moorclose, which is due to be demolished.

Mr Winstanley said the centre, which is more than 40 years old, has served them well over the years.

He said: “It’s done good for us. A lot of pools that age have closed long ago.

“But for us to move from a pool with six lanes to eight just changes everything for us.”

The new centre will also include a learner pool with movable floor, a 90-station gym and a free weights studio, two multi-purpose studios, a sports hall, two squash courts, a sauna and steam room, a climbing wall and an artificial and five-a-side pitches.

The town’s existing leisure centre, at Moorclose, will close on Wednesday to allow staff to move the final pieces of equipment to the new building before Saturday’s opening.