A £2.45 MILLION scheme for a new public gym and sports centre on York's former Burnholme College site has been approved by City of York Council's executive.

The new health and wellbeing campus will have facilities open for 75 hours a week, up by 55 hours from the current levels of service.

These facilities will include a fitness gym, fitted with accessible equipment for least active residents, a junior gymnastics coaching programme and improved sports pitches, and the centre will become home to York’s GP exercise referral programme.

Greenwich Leisure Ltd (GLL), which already operates Energise and Yearsley pool, will work with the council on refurbishment as part of the new contract.

But under an amendment by Liberal Democrat executive member for culture and liesure, Cllr Nigel Ayre, all current users of the sports facilities will be protected as the centre transitions to GLL.

Cllr Ayre said the investment maintained the authority's record on supporting leisure services, including the new pool at Energise, a new pool in partnership with the University at York Sports Village, saving Yearsley Pool and providing new athletics facilities.