MORE than 12,000 people turned out for the official opening of the £9m Leys Pools and Leisure Centre at the weekend when fees were waived.

Swimming at the Pegasus Road facility was free and there were free taster sessions put on for work-out classes due to start next month.

Leisure centre manager David Hunt said the pool was so busy they had to allot each swimmer 30 minutes to meet demand.

He said: “It has been really positive so far, we haven’t had one bad comment.

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“Everyone is asking us for timetables and when they can come back.”

After 18 months of construction the pools opened on January 2, but the weekend marked the completion of a new reception area and downstairs exercise studio.

The new 25-metre competition pool replaces Temple Cowley Pools and Blackbird Leys Pool, a move opposed by some. Its facilities also include a teaching pool, a fun water area with jets and sprays, new changing facilities and a sauna.

Oxford East MP Andrew Smith and Oxford City Council executive board member Mike Rowley cut the ribbon at midday on Saturday.

The city council paid for and owns the new pool, but the centre is run by leisure firm Fusion.

On Sunday the centre hosted its first gala – organised by City of Oxford Swimming Club – as well as a street-dancing competition.

One of the weekend’s most popular activities were taster sessions for Fight Klub in the sports hall, intensive exercise classes which attracted more than 150 people each.

The sessions saw scores of people lunging and kicking to music in unison, following direction from instructors on a stage at the front.

Mr Hunt said they would begin at the centre next month in its studios, but had been so successful that they are now likely to continue in the hall.

Cowley Road resident Gee Crane, 37, said: “I’d never done Fight Klub before but was desperate to give it a go.

“It really gets the endorphins going and makes you quite energetic and pumped. It’s a great way of staying motivated.”

There was also a bouncy castle and an exercise area open to children and families.

Tom Richards, six, came with sister Amelia, four, and parents John and Rachel.

The youngster said: “My dad showed me what to do on all the different things and I got to jump and bounce around with my friends.

“My favourite was doing front flips and the trampoline.”

Mr Richards, 38, of Blackbird Leys, added: “I think the changes to the centre will really make a difference.

“It’s certainly brought a lot more people than usual today and the kids have loved it.”

Mr Hunt said the revamped leisure centre has this month already had 40 per cent more visitors than Temple Cowley Pools did last January.

He added: “It’s been really busy for us so far, but I see that as a good problem to have.”

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