THE new look Lochgelly High School Community Use facility is set to officially open after a revamp worth almost £250,000.

The work has taken some weeks to put in place but what it has created is a state of the art gymnasium facility; a spinning studio with a dozen brand new cycles; a totallly upgraded cafe/flexible learning facility; and new astro turf surfaces, to add to the excellent swimming pool and sports hall.

Head of Community Use in the Cowdenbeath Area, Sarah Roxburgh (pictured), is delighted with the new facility achieved through investment from Fife Council, and along with Sheena Clements, who has special responsibilities for the Lochgelly operation, hopes to see the public taking advantage of this brand new set-up.

Said Sarah, “The former facilities were tired and becoming unfit for purpose and inevitably it was having a major effect on our customer levels.

“The upgraded facilities are fabulous and now among the best in the local area for sport and phyiscal activity. And of course while Community Use clients benefit so will the pupils of the school with greater physical activity options being provided.

“Pupils will will now have greater opportunity to be more active during and after school which could lead to them having improved health outcomes in later life.” Sheena added, “We now have a facility that pupils and the local community can be excited about using and it now increases our capacity for sport and physical activity to be developed locally.

“Modern facilities with the latest up to date fitness equipment providing the opportunity to be more active, more often, in a fun and friendly environment.

“These are available at highly competitive prices and with good transport links and the availability of parking it all adds up to very affordable access to quality facilities.” Sarah also talked about how the investment in the facilities can give members of the community the opportunity to be more active which can boost self esteem, mood, sleep quality and energy and reduce the risk of heart disease, stress, dementia, type 2 diabetes, stroke and some cancers.

She also talked about how the project can contribute towards Lochgelly Community Use’s status as a sports hub and offers the opportunity to increase community participation in sport and phyiscal activity and positively influence the health and wellbeing of the Lochgelly population.

Sarah concluded, “We are very grateful for the one-off investment of Fife Council and the additional support we received from Cowdenbeath Area Committee.

“It has been a great project to be involved with and I am delighted that we are now able to provide additional activites to our programme. I look forward to welcoming customers to the facility and am excited about possible future further development. It is part of a sporting revolution in with Community Use at its heart and we want to create a buzz in the local commuunity.

“We hope that the public will back this project and enjoy using the upgraded facilities.” Sarah was grateful for the support the project had been given by Lochgelly and Cardenden councillor Mark Hood In addition she hopes the project will benefit partners like Active Fife, NHS Fife, Police Scotland and Scottish Sport Future.

The new revamped facilities will be officially opened in February with the 27th birthday of LHS Community Use being on 8th of next month.