Work has commenced on the biggest ever investment in leisure facilities in Rossendale.

Rossendale Council will be investing £2.6m in new and improved sport and leisure facilities at Marl Pits - the biggest single investment the Council has funded in its 37 year history.

The investment will improve the pool at Marl Pits, widen the range of sports facilities and make the current operation more sustainable.

Four new 5-a-side football pitches will be provided (measuring 20m x30m) along with a fitness studio, a fitness room with 45 fitness stations, and improved changing areas. Office accommodation and a new reception area will also be included.

The extension will increase the venue's floorspace from 1,082sq m to 1,694sq m.

Rossendale Council Leader, Councillor Alyson Barnes, said: "I am delighted that we are making such a big investment in leisure facilities in the borough. This will not only provide improved sports and leisure opportunities for local people but will help to make the publically funded leisure facilities in Rossendale more sustainable. The improvements at Marl Pits will provide some great new opportunities for local people to get fitter and healthier."

"In this year of the Olympic Games the Council and Rossendale Leisure Trust will continue to work together to deliver high quality, affordable, leisure facilities in the borough that will hopefully develop our sporting heroes of the future."

Martin Kay, General Manager of the Rossendale Leisure Trust added "that Rossendale Leisure Trust is committed to helping the people of Rossendale to start, stay and succeed in sport and physical activity and the new facilities will certainly help us to do just that. The Trust will work hard with all our partners to ensure that the new facilities are accessible to everyone, in this Olympic Year I cannot think of a better lasting legacy for Rossendale."

Roger Fulton, Chair of Rossendale Leisure Trust also stated "that it is a significant moment in the history of the Leisure Trust who has operated the leisure facilities on behalf of the Borough Council since 2004. This investment is further testament to that solid working relationship and we look forward to continuing to work tirelessly on behalf of the Borough Council and Community."

Kier Construction has been selected to undertake the design and construction of the new facility under the competitively tendered North West Construction Hub Framework. Colin Quigley, operations director at the company, said:

"Kier is absolutely delighted to be working with Rossendale Council and the Leisure Trust to deliver this major investment for the people of Rossendale."

Photograph: Stuart Hall (Kier Northern), Martin Kay (General Manager Rossendale Leisure Trust), Roger Fulton (Chair, Rossendale Leisure Trust), Councillor Alyson Barnes (Council Leader), Anthony Slack (Kier Northern), Chris Ibbot (Mouchel), Dan Robinson (KKA)