AN outdoor education centre and swimming pool in Cowling has undergone a £200,000 refurbishment.

High Adventure Outdoor Education Centre already had a swimming pool, jacuzzi and outdoor pursuits facilities, but has now added new changing facilities, a sauna, lounge area and extra rooms for residential visits.

The swimming pool is used by a variety of people from the local community, including a Water Babies group and patients referred from Airedale hospital. It is heated to three degrees higher than the average temperature of other swimming pools allowing those who are recovering from accidents or operations to exercise without fear of getting cold.

Although the pool is private, members of the public are able to use it at designated times and it can be hired out by individuals or groups.

Members of the Asian community hire out the pool to allow women to exercise without fear of breaking their religious beliefs.

A number of schools use the centre's outdoor pursuits facilities, which include orienteering, mountain biking, rock climbing, abseiling, archery and canoeing.

It attracts schools from as far away as London who come and use the centre for longer residential trips.