Edinburgh Leisure reopens a refurbished pool and gym at Wester Hailes Education Centre

Swimmers and gym-goers in the south west of the city have their local leisure centre back. The pool and leisure facilities at Wester Hailes Education Centre reopened on 1 October after a full refurbishment, and they are open seven days a week for gym, swimming and fitness.

Edinburgh Leisure says the needs of local residents were at the heart of the redevelopment, with improvements focused on activity spaces, inclusivity and the overall customer experience.

The pool offers lane swimming, diving and family sessions. Daytime access is now also available to the fitness suite, which has 30 cardio and resistance workout stations in a bright, open space, and to a new general purpose studio. The studio hosts an expanded programme of classes, including Kettlecise, Pilates and Edinburgh Leisure's Active Communities activities, and can be hired by groups.

Accessibility has been a big focus. The centre now has modern changing accommodation, step-free access throughout, a Changing Places facility and a pool pod to make getting into the water easier.

The refurbishment forms part of a wider City of Edinburgh Council project to deliver a new Passivhaus-standard secondary school next to the existing site.

David McGlade, head of operations (schools) at Edinburgh Leisure, said the team was delighted to welcome the community to a modern, accessible leisure facility in the heart of Wester Hailes, with brighter spaces and a wider range of ways to be active close to home. He said the charity was particularly excited to expand its Active Communities programme, which helps people of all ages overcome barriers to being active.

The reopening is the latest in a series of upgrades across the city. Last November, Edinburgh Leisure opened a purpose-built cycle studio at Craiglockhart Leisure and Tennis Centre, with immersive audio and lighting for Les Mills Sprint, RPM and group cycle classes, and the return of evening sessions.

Cllr James Dalgleish, the council's education, children and families convener, said the facility was for the whole community to use and enjoy, not just the school.

Timetables, swimming sessions and class bookings are on the Edinburgh Leisure website.