A new swimming pool in Hadleigh has reached its final milestone this week, after it was officially opened following final finishing touches to the building.

The modernised swimming pool at Hadleigh Pool and Leisure has now been officially opened by councillors, Abbeycroft Leisure representatives and partners.

It's part of a £2.4m investment by Babergh District Council, and its partner Abbeycroft Leisure, to modernise swimming facilities at the council-owned centre. The project has also been supported with £200k provided by Hadleigh Town Council, and a Sports England grant of £150k.

Built by local firm Rose Builders, the new facilities include;

brand new pool with five 25 metre lanes of Sport England competition standard

sauna

spectator seating

improved disabled access to the pool via easy access steps and handrail, and pool pod lift

Changing Places toilet and shower facility

exterior sunshade and artwork designed by community groups and local artist Jo Chapman

access through to the existing changing facilities, refurbished in 2010

as well as a new plant room, and storage for swimming club and pool equipment

The upgrades now compliment the other modern spaces at the centre including the gym, and community and social rooms.

St Mary's Church of England Primary School in Hadleigh, Hadleigh High School, and the Hadleigh Dementia Alliance group also helped inspire the pool's unique sunshade - designed by local artist Jo Chapman.

A selection of the groups' artwork can be found on permanent display at the centre which explore themes such as the importance of wellbeing and exercise, the pool environment, local landscape and more.

Cllr Derek Davis, cabinet member for communities at Babergh District Council, said: "It's very exciting to have now reached the final milestone of this community project in Hadleigh.

"There's always something special about seeing customers enjoying new facilities and having a splash after months of hard work by everyone involved.

"The pool and our other new facilities in Sudbury, will play a huge part in supporting our residents' health, fitness and wellbeing for generations to come – and form a key step towards achieving the aims set out in our Leisure, Sport & Physical Activity Strategy.

"We look forward to working with our partners on more exciting projects as part of our Invest in Hadleigh programme over the coming years."

Tracey Loynds, development director at Abbeycroft Leisure, said: "The new pool at Hadleigh Pool and Leisure is fantastic and a real testament to partnership working - we're thrilled our customers have been able to enjoy these new facilities.

"This was obviously a huge project for us and for the people of Hadleigh, which we hope will support the community to get more active.

"Government restrictions of course still remain in place for the time being so please remember to book your visit on our website before heading over to try out the pool."

The pool has been open since the spring to avoid unnecessary disruption for members while finishing touches were put in place. This followed the easing of lockdown back in April and £182k funding from the Government's National Leisure Recovery Fund to support the Covid-recovery of the council's two leisure centres.

Hadleigh mayor, Cllr Frank Minns, said: "I know everyone in Hadleigh will be delighted that we now have this fantastic, state of the art pool in our town. Excellent co-operation between Hadleigh Town Council and Babergh District Council has produced something that will benefit us all for years to come."

Final steps to re-landscape the former pool area into park land, to ensure the build results in no net loss of open space, are expected to be completed by the Autumn.

Steve Rose, managing director of Rose Builders, said: "We are delighted to have played our part in the team that have delivered the fabulous new swimming pool and leisure facility at Hadleigh. We hope that the community will utilise, enjoy and benefit from the leisure and fitness opportunities the facility provides."