The University of Bradford has invested millions of pounds in a sports centre to help the city’s urban regeneration as well as its residents’ health.

Almost £5m has been spent on improving the university’s Unique Lifestyle and Fitness Centre which will be at the heart of providing personalised health and wellbeing for the university staff and students – and the wider community.

Leisure facilities manager Shahram Amindari said the refurbishment will be officially opened by University Chancel-lor Imran Khan on Thursday, July 16.

Mr Amindari said: “As a university sports centre it is for students and staff, but we are also open to the general public.

“We are expecting a large membership from the public.

“One of the university’s main aims is to get engaged with the communities of Bradford and the city of Bradford.

“Some people think if it is the university then they are excluded, but the university’s aim is to get engaged with them and get it seen more as part of the city.”

The university has said the centre, located on the edge of the campus off Great Horton Road, is one of the largest and most up-to-date health and fitness centres in the district. It will feature a new climbing wall, a 92-station gym, new changing rooms and a swimming pool, as well as the latest state-of-the-art equipment fitted by Life Fitness.

Professor Mark Cleary, vice-chancellor of the university, said: “The university is delighted that our Chancellor, Imran Khan, will be opening Unique Lifestyle and Fitness and hope health and wellbeing will be at the heart of the university and the wider community.”

For more information on the sports centre visit brad.ac.uk/ unique or call (01274) 235117