A £100,000 makeover is on the way for Houghton Regis Leisure Centre.
The Parkside Drive centre is staying open in 2012/13 after being saved from the axe.
But the centre will close temporarily from April 1 to April 15 for the best of reasons – so that the revamp work can be carried out.
The improved centre will feature a new 60-station fitness room, including cardio and strength/resistance equipment and free weights area, and a new-look reception.
Central Beds Council is investing in the centre as part of its commitment to keep the venue open to the end of March 2013.
Stevenage Leisure will take over the running of the centre from April this year.
The council has been working in partnership with Houghton Regis Town Council and campaigners from the Houghton Regis Leisure Centre Action Group.
Councillor Brian Spurr said: “This refurbishment will result in much better facilities at the leisure centre which we hope will be enjoyed by everyone. The local community has played a big part in helping us to reach this conclusion and find a positive alternative to closure.
“We are sure that the new operators, Stevenage Leisure Ltd, will do a great job of running the centre from now on.”
The Gazette has been closely following the campaign to save the leisure centre.
Action group campaigners were overjoyed by the decision to keep the centre running in the next financial year.
After the announcement, they said in a statement: “We are delighted with the news.”
They added: “We would like to say a big thank you to all those who have fought alongside us and provided us with the enthusiastic manpower to fight for this valuable asset.”
The campaigners made it clear that they would be keen to find a way to re-open the centre’s pool, which closed last autumn.
And they emphasised: “This resource is vitally important to Houghton Regis and the surrounding villages.”