THIS is the first look inside a multi-million pound development at North Wales’ flagship leisure centre.

Sports lovers can now take advantage of the new state-of-the-art facilities at Deeside Leisure Centre.

Yesterday it opened an 80-station fitness suite, two fitness studios, a toning studio and brand new changing rooms as part of a three-phase £4 million overhaul by Flintshire Council and its partner Alliance Leisure.

Cllr Dennis Hutchinson, executive member for leisure, said the centre was becoming one of the best in Wales.

He said: “This is for the benefit of the whole of Flintshire, young and old. It is a fantastic facility. Our aim is to encourage more people to take part in regular sport and physical activity to ensure wide ranging health and social benefits in Flintshire.

“People are in for a real treat, our new facilities are welcoming, inspiring and a pleasure to visit.

“When completed Deeside Leisure Centre will arguably be one of the best in Wales.”

The first phase created six five-a-side floodlit football pitches and the completion of the final phase of the scheme in January will see the opening of the first Welsh public day spa, a soft play area for children and an indoor extreme sporting arena with a high ropes course and skate park for scooters, inline skates and BMX bikes.

Plans have already been revealed for redevelopment work at other centres in the county including Flint Pavilion and Mold and Buckley leisure centres.

Colette Lawton, fitness suite supervisor at the centre, said: “The customers are thrilled. They say it is like a five-star hotel.”

Cllr Hutchinson added: “It has been a £10 million investment and it is still ongoing. We are going to be looking at Holywell and other leisure centres as well.