Plans for building work and some refurbishments at Quayside Leisure Centre in Kingsbridge have been unveiled this week by Fusion Lifestyle.

The multi-million pound investment announced by Fusion Lifestyle and South Hams District Council includes a whole raft of investment in the centre.

The centre will undergo a major refurbishment inside, as well as an upgrade to various facilities. Improvements include a new soft play room for children; an extended and refurbished studio; a refurbished studio; a fully refurnished fitness gym; a refurbished café and seating area on the first floor; and a new entrance, with a turnstile and new reception, which will include a café area and seating area with viewing screens overlooking the pool.

The plans, announced in partnership with South Hams District Council and West Devon Borough Council, marks the start of a three-year programme of proposed works to significantly improve and modernise local sports and leisure facilities across the county.

As well as Quayside, other leisure centres set to be significantly improved include Meadowlands Leisure Centre in Tavistock, Ivybridge Leisure Centre, Dartmouth Leisure Centre and Parklands Leisure Centre in Okehampton.

The two local authorities have put forward £8m of funding, after agreeing a 25-year contract with Fusion last year. The funding will enable Fusion Lifestyle to kick-start their improvement programme and will be paid back over the course of the contract.

The improvement plans will be on display at Quayside Leisure Centre over the coming weeks. During this time, members of the public can view the drawings and provide their feedback on the proposed changes before Fusion Lifestyle applies for planning permission.

Members of the Fusion planning and management teams will also be available at drop-in sessions, to explain more and answer any questions about the major works set to take place.

Cllr Hilary Bastone, executive portfolio holder for customer first at South Hams District Council said: “It is essential for us that we get top notch leisure facilities that can benefit the whole community. When we offered the contract to Fusion we knew that we were putting that leisure provision in good hands and we are delighted to see work start on what we know will be an excellent offering.”

Anthony Cawley, operations director at Fusion Lifestyle said: “We have made a commitment to nurture these sports and leisure facilities in Devon, and this includes making a serious investment in their improvement and upkeep. Our plans for all the centres have been designed to improve the experience for our members and the public, providing them with better and bigger facilities.

“It is a privilege to be involved in the running of these incredibly popular and important sites across Devon, and it is our role to ensure that they continue to serve the community for years to come, whether that’s providing a major new addition to the site, or refurbishing much-loved tired facilities.

“The improvement plans will be on show at each of the centres, and we hope that the public take the opportunity to come and view these; we are excited to hear their thoughts. As an independent charity, we invest heavily in creating, restoring and transforming local facilities, and we believe communities in Devon will really benefit from what we are proposing.”

For more information about Fusion, visit www.fusion-lifestyle.com.