Putney swimming pool is being put forward for a complete refit as part of a £6.2m programme of investment in the borough's leisure centres. In addition at Roehampton the council and the company will also assess the scope for building a brand new centre.

The improvements will be completed as part of a new contract for the management of leisure facilities which will net the council £10m over an eight year period.

Councillors will be asked to recommend the bid submitted by the current operators DC Leisure for the new eight-year contract at a meeting of the environment and public services overview and scrutiny committee on February 7.

The £6.2 m package will be funded by the council with all construction contracts let and managed by the company. The new round of improvements follow an earlier £9.2m programme which was completed in 2002.

Cabinet member for environment and public services Kathy Tracey said, "We have to continue investing if we want our leisure centres to remain the best in London. The £6.2m is a carefully balanced mix of essential long term repairs and improvements and measures to provide the new facilities that people want."

Details of the new facilities planned for each centre including refurbishment options for Dryburgh Hall at Putney will be finalised in June.

February 3, 2006