Keynsham is set to benefit from a £7 million enhancement of the town’s leisure centre unveiled by Bath and North East Somerset Council this week.

The Council says the enhanced refurbishment of Keynsham Leisure Centre will see the centre transformed into a modern and dynamic leisure facility aimed at motivating more people to get more active, more often.

The plans for the Leisure Centre have been produced following feedback from residents, and include an improved sports hall for badminton and other sports, a refurbished swimming pool with viewing gallery, a new teaching pool, as well as enhanced gym facilities and a new soft play area.

Cllr Martin Veal (Conservative, Bathavon North), Cabinet Member for Community Services, said: “The aim of our enhancements to Keynsham Leisure Centre is to ensure we have great facilities that encourage more people to get active more often, particularly those who don’t currently use the leisure centre. It will be a place for the local community to be proud of and, with something for everyone, it will be a fantastic environment for getting fitter and healthier whilst having fun.

“We are very keen to get more people involved in sport and physical activity – especially families, young people, older people and those who are overweight. To do that, our facilities need to be modern and welcoming and able to engage the greatest number of people.”

Last year, following the feedback from residents on the initial concept designs for a new leisure centre in Keynsham, Council Leader, Cllr Tim Warren, made a commitment that any plans for the leisure centre would include an all-purpose sports hall with badminton facilities.

Cllr Tim Warren (Conservative, Mendip), Leader of Council, said: “I’m very pleased to honour our commitment to deliver an improved sports hall with badminton courts as part of our plans for the new Leisure Centre – something which the Keynsham community has told us they want to see in their new Leisure Centre.

“Whilst some other councils are having to close their leisure centres, our plans will provide Keynsham Leisure Centre with a sustainable future to ensure that residents can continue to benefit from public leisure services for years to come.

“As well as greatly improving the look and feel of the inside of the Leisure Centre, the planned improvements are also a great opportunity to revitalise the Riverside and Temple Street area of Keynsham.”

The proposed enhancements of Keynsham Leisure Centre take into account suggestions made by residents through the Placemaking Plan public consultation event in September last year. There are currently two outline options under consideration which both include:

· An improved sports hall (for badminton and other sports)

· A new teaching pool

· Refurbished main pool

· Retaining the current pool viewing gallery

· New soft play

· New and improved changing spaces

· New studio spaces

· An enhanced fitness suite

· Retaining the current squash courts

The refurbishment is due to start in Spring 2017, with all the work carried out in phases, so that it can remain open wherever possible. If any facilities are temporarily out of action during the work, the Centre will do all it can to provide an alternative venue.

Bath and North East Somerset Council, working in partnership with charitable social enterprise GLL, which operates the Council’s leisure centres under the Better brand, will be holding a series of four feedback sessions in Keynsham where people can learn more about the enhancement plans and give their feedback on the proposals.

Details of the public information and feedback sessions around the Keynsham Leisure Centre proposals (where the two draft options will be on display) are:

· Thursday, 9th June 6.30-8.30pm; Keynsham Community Space

· Tuesday, 14th June 2-4pm; Keynsham Community Space

· Friday, 24th June – 10am-2pm; Keynsham Leisure Centre

· Tuesday, 28th June 4-8pm; Keynsham Leisure Centre.

To make sure that local people can reap all the benefits of physical activity – including making a positive difference to their physical and mental health and their overall wellbeing, Bath and North East Somerset Council, along with GLL, are investing £17 million in improving local leisure centres and creating new leisure facilities, supported by Sport England. The investment has already seen a revamp of Culverhay Sports Centre, which now has a new dance studio, functional training spaces and new equipment. Work is also imminent on the refurbishment of Bath Sports and Leisure Centre.

The investment in leisure centres in Keynsham, Bath and Culverhay will help support delivery of the Council’s Fit for Life strategy, which is designed to improve the health and wellbeing of local residents.