A host of sports stars including Olympic athlete Colin Jackson, Coalville runner Gemma Steel and ex-Leicester City striker Steve Walsh at the official opening of the new Whitwick and Coalville Leisure Centre. Photo: Coalville Nub News

The 22.5 million site is run by award-winning operator everyone active in partnership with North West Leicestershire District Council.

A full day of activities was laid out for the community to try out, and hundreds of children and adults got involved in the likes of climbing, group exercise classes, inflatable play sessions, trampolining and parkour.

They were also able to mix with the likes of former world 110metre hurdles champion Jackson and Coalville is European cross country championship winner Gemma Steel.

Leicester City legend Steve Walsh and Tokyo 2020 para canoeing champion Charlotte Henshaw we're also there - along with three times Paralympic swimming gold medallist Olly Hynd how long with Commonwealth Games badminton gold medallist Anthony Clark.

Derby County FC women's captain Hannah Ward completed the lineup

The celebrities were involved in the activity programme which included climbing and gym challenges.

Davenport, Hynd and Henshaw took on youngsters from Coalville Swimming Club in a VIP swimming race in the main pool.

Clark ran a kids' badminton session, and Walsh and Ward took a children's football session in the sports hall. 

Jackson, in his opening speech, said: "Amazing sports stars will be inspired because they have come to great facilities in the heart of their own community

"You now have the centre, so use it as well as you can and as much as you can, as ultimately it is here for you.

"It's an amazing partnership between the council and everyone active to create this for you.

"So come along as many times as you can get fit for yourselves."

Councillor Andrew Woodman, Northwest Leicestershire District Council portfolio holder for community services, said: "Today is a special day where we can really celebrate the fantastic new facilities that the district has and the opportunities for activity and fitness there now available for local people

"Our vision for this centre wasn't just to replace our old facility, it was to create a destination where there was something for everyone, and I think everyone will agree we've done that.

"I hope this open day will attract even more people, those who wouldn't usually set 40 a leisure centre or who don't think physical activity is for them.

"The job now and in the future is to showcase these facilities and let everyone know that there is something here for them to get active

"No matter what their age their ability or their interests"

Duncan Gibb, Everyone Active contract manager, said: "This was the perfect way to celebrate the launch of a state of the art centre.

"It will serve the community for years to come.

"It was great to see the public experienced a wide range of activities and to really get a sense of how much there is on offer for everyone at this fantastic site.

"This will help us to build on the centres enormously positive start since opening, we hope to see lots of new and returning visit soon."

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