Fife councillors recently visited the centre, which will also house Cowdenbeath’s local library once the refit is complete.

The upgrade includes an enhanced gym space to increase capacity and provide a new, dedicated fitness/aerobic studio space for group activity; the replacement of the sauna and steam room; a refurbishment of the wet side changing area to include the installation of a changing places unit; the replacement and repurposing of the Synthetic Turf Pitch (STP); and improvements to the external façade.

The early years provision, moved to a temporary location across the street next to the Maxwell Centre, will return to the centre once the refurbishment is complete.

The refurbishment work is expected to be completed by this autumn.

Councillor Alex Campbell, convenor of the Cowdenbeath area committee, said: “We were here just over a year ago when the work first started, so to see the changes that have been made is amazing.

“This is a significant investment in the local community. When it reopens, the centre will provide all these great facilities in one place.

“Once work is finished, we’ll have a facility which is welcoming and inclusive to all.”

The centre reflects Fife Council’s commitment to integrated community facilities and the ambitions of our physical activity and sports strategy 2022-25, to Invest in facilities and infrastructure for physical activity and sport.

Fife Sports and Leisure Trust has operated Cowdenbeath Leisure Centre since 2008.

During the closure ,which started in April 2024, Fife Sports and Leisure Trust has continued to provide services at other nearby facilities.

Emma Walker, CEO of Fife Sports and Leisure Trust, said: “The library move from the High Street to Cowdenbeath Leisure Centre will provide a modern, accessible space for library users.

“Co-location of the library, sitting alongside the early years provision and the wider services within the leisure centre, will provide customers with a joined up cohesive service.”

Heather Stuart, chief executive of OnFife, which operates the library, said: “This is a really exciting move for the library and will bring many benefits to customers, with a new modern space integrated with other services.

“We’re looking forward to welcoming our existing library users into the new space when we move but also to the great opportunity to open up our services to new customers who will find the library’s new home more accessible.”