The £4.1m dual-use Wath-upon-Dearne Leisure Centre has opened in Rotherham. It is the third facility to launch as part of the borough council's £35m leisure facility redevelopment scheme.

The centre, which has been relocated closer to the area's secondary school, includes a five-lane, 25m pool and separate teaching pool, plus a 40-station fitness suite and dance studio. It is the latest centre to open under the £35m programme, and follows the launches of Aston-cum-Aughton Leisure Centre and Rotherham Leisure Complex, earlier this year.

The next centre scheduled to open is the Maltby Leisure & Services Centre, which is expected to open in late 2009. The centre will include a six-lane competition pool, a separate diving and teaching pool, a four-court sports hall and fitness suite. The facility will also feature a Joint Service Centre, which is the first stage of a long-term strategy between the council and the Rotherham Primary Care Trust to create a one-stop-shop for health and local authority services. The centre is being supported by RBT Connect, a joint partnership between the council and BT, which will provide a new customer service centre.

The scheme was designed to replace seven swimming pools, the Herringthorpe Leisure Centre and Thrybergh Sports Centre, which will be closed between August and November. The construction work is being carried out by Willmott Dixon and DC Leisure has been appointed to manage the centres on a 32-year contract.

The borough council's programme is a joint public/private venture funded by the DCMS and the Department for Communities and Local Government through its private finance initiative (PFI). Funding has also been provided by the Lottery's New Opportunities for PE and School Sports fund, Rotherham Primary Care Trust and from the council's capital budget. Phil Rogers, director of culture and leisure services at the council, said: "Once completed the new leisure centres will be enjoyed by thousands of people, helping to improve their lives and well-being. We predict that the facilities will attract around a million visitors a year."

Councillor Gerald Smith, cabinet member for regeneration and development, said: "By Christmas, Rotherham will have three new leisure facilities offering a huge choice of activities. "We have staggered the openings to allow for vital staff training and for people to travel to other pools during the interim period when their local old facility closes and their new one opens. We appreciate there will be a gap of perhaps a fortnight in each area when the old facility closes, but we hope the public appreciates that we have to allow for the movement of staff."