Story byTeam GB swimmer Freya Colbert has opened the new Grantham Meres Leisure Centre gym [South Kesteven District Council]Holly Phillips - East Yorkshire and LincolnshireWed, December 24, 2025 at 2:41 PM UTC·2 min readTeam GB swimmer Freya Colbert has opened a new gym at her former training base in Lincolnshire. Colbert made her Olympic debut at Paris 2024 following gold and bronze medal-winning performances at the World, European and Commonwealth championships. AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThe 21-year-old used to swim at the Meres Leisure Centre, in Grantham, which had recently undergone a £240,000 refurbishment."It is a real honour to come back here to open this facility that is so close to my heart," she said. Colbert added: "My first gym session was in the old version and I hope the new one serves everyone really well - the equipment is definitely top tier."The gym equipment, which had been in use for ten years, has been replaced with 70 new stations that have wi-fi. During the 16-day refurbishment, new weights and cardiovascular machines have been fitted, as well as new flooring, decoration and lighting. Colbert officially opened the refurbished gym on Tuesday [South Kesteven District Council]Members of the Grantham and Deepings swimming clubs were among the guests at Tuesday's opening. AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementCouncillor Paul Stokes, deputy leader of South Kesteven District Council, said: "Every piece of apparatus is new and state-of-the-art, adding to the Meres' growing reputation as the destination for sports and fitness in the Grantham area."He added: "This project has been at the heart of our commitment to the Grantham community to provide a gym they can be proud of and help us toward a goal of achieving a healthier, more active town."The authority loaned money to LeisureSK Ltd, who lease Meres Leisure Centre, for the refurbishment. The gym reopens to the public on Saturday. AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementListen to highlights from Lincolnshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here. Download the BBC News app from the App Store for iPhone and iPad or Google Play for Android devicesMore on this storyFrom spectator in London to competitor in Paris Olympic champion opens triathlon training centreOlympic medallist Lewis Davey's hero homecomingRelated internet linksSouth Kesteven District Council.