Selby’S new leisure centre will open to the public on Monday after a £1.1 million investment.

The new Profiles Health and Fitness Centre, at Abbey Leisure Centre, includes a fitness suite with 75 new stations, a dance studio, consultation room and health suite.

Coun Gillian Ivey, chair of Selby District Council’s social board, said the centre had already attracted 600 new members, showing the need for the facilities in Selby.

She said: “I’m delighted because from what I have seen so far it’s a massive improvement and great for the people of Selby.”

The new gym equipment uses the Technogym “Wellness” system which produces weekly, monthly and daily reports on users’ progress.

The system also allows instructors to leave messages, updates and challenges for each member. Customers can set challenges and watch visual maps of the streets of London or Paris as they run, play games, watch movies or listen to music.

The development is a joint venture between Selby District Council and Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust (WLCT), enabling it to invest a larger sum. WLCT will now manage the centre on behalf of the council.

Bob Lancaster, leisure services manager for WLCT, said: “It is everything we had hoped for and our customers will be amazed at the new facilities. After much hard work we are delighted our members will have access to the most specialised fitness equipment available in the industry.”

Coun Ivey added: “The new deal also represents a significant long-term saving for the council, helping us to deliver better services at less cost.”

Members of the public can preview of the facilities from 9am on Sunday before it opens on Monday. An official civic ceremony has been organised for September to mark the formal opening.