It splashed into action just two months ago – and 165,000 people have come through the doors.
Since the new Huddersfield Leisure Centre opened in May it has proved a big hit with families.
And it is likely to be crammed over the rest of school summer break as kids try out slides and water features they usually only find on holiday.
General manager Hazel Francis said the centre had got off to a flying start and added: “It’s been a hectic time and so busy.
“We under-estimated how many people wanted to come in and have a full tour because they had seen it being built.
“We’ve had over 1,865 new members and people who have never used a centre before are coming in, which is great and it’s led to us increasing our staff numbers since we opened. We now have 50 full time staff.”
Opening the centre came with some teething problems, one being the splash park, which has had 30,000 customer visits and has proved too popular at times.
“During the Spring Bank Holiday there were so many families we had to turn some away,” said Hazel.
“So we created an online booking system with 15 minute entry time slots so that people knew they would be able to get in at that time and not have to pay for parking unnecessarily and it’s been working really well. People love it.”
Click below to watch reporter Chloe Glover brave the water slide
Another children’s activity area, The Reef, re-opened on Saturday. It had to close shortly after the centre opened.
Hazel said: “We realised more work needed doing to it and now it’s four floors high and has a new floor.
“There’ll also be more tables and benches for family members and it can fit 32 children.”
Hazel said the centre has also responded to its disabled users.
She said: “Some wanted hooks by the showers for towels and we’ve even installed a hand rail for one disabled woman who uses a specific locker to help her.
“We also have new swimming sessions suitable for disabled people or those new to swimming, as well as dedicated sessions for women and men only.
“Until recently, women had to travel to Dewsbury Sports Centre to go to one.
“We’re responding to people wherever we can and will continue to do so.”
Another change will come into force soon.
Hazel added: “We’re going to have a no outdoor shoes policy in the pool changing rooms to keep it clean.
“And the external company which mans the cafe and vending machines are open to requests for menu changes and healthier snacks in the machine if the demand is there.”
Hazel has hopes for the centre in the future.
She said: “Our aim is to get everybody active and for people to come more than once a week.
“We want them to try out different activities. It really is a centre for the community and there’s something for everyone.”
Visitors love new Huddersfield Leisure Centre
People are having a splashing time at the new leisure centre.
Jackie Kerr, 49, from Newsome, who brought her grandchildren along, said: “It’s amazing.
“We’ve been in Huddersfield for seven years and have never been to a leisure centre in the area until this opened.
“It’s great for children and we’ll be coming back. It’s good exercise for them.”
Suzanne Smelt, of Outlane, uses the splash park with her children.
She said: “It’s much better than the old one, however there seems like a lot of wasted space.”
Her son Archie, 10, said: “We’ve come three times now and it’s awesome.”
People were making the most of the new gym, the largest one in any Kirklees Active Leisure centre.
Morgan Jones, 16, of Slaithwaite, was at the gym with her friend Cam Richardson, also 16, of Kirkburton.
She said: “We come here almost every day now.”
And Daniel Batley, 33, of Paddock, said: “Before I was going to a gym once a week but now I come here three to five times because of the equipment.”
