The Wavelength Leisure Centre in Lewisham, London, is due to reopen next month as a new aquatics centre, following a £4.6m redevelopment project that included a new 25m swimming pool. The project, funded by Lewisham Council, is part of a strategy to improve leisure facilities across the borough by 2010.

When complete, the new pool will join the existing but refurbished leisure pool, a fitness and health studio with a 36-station gym, a library, cafè and bar, as well as new group changing rooms.

There will also be a new reception area and relocated entrance. The centre's extension was designed by architects William Saunders and managed by Parkwood Leisure.

A new flagship leisure centre in Loampit Vale is also in the early stages of being developed for a planned 2010 opening. The centre has been designed by LA architects, in conjunction with art specialists Futurecity, to meet Amateur Swimming Association and Sport England standards.

The centre will include an eight-lane, 25m pool with moveable floor, a 20m x 8m teaching pool, two multi-use exercise studios, a 100-station fitness suite, a health spa, a climbing wall, creche and cafe.

Barratt Homes is the developer for the project, which will also include 800 new homes - a mixture of private, shared ownership and social rented accommodation - and commercial space.

Lewisham major Sir Steve Bullock, said: “The new centre will provide 21st century leisure facilities as part of the council's plans to transform the town centre. We will continue to invest in leisure facilities across the borough and this decision will ensure facilities remain open while the new pools are being built.”

The new centres will compliment Downham Health and Leisure Centre, which opened in March 2007 and is managed by Leisure Connection.

The public have access to facilities at the Ladywell Leisure Centre, Ladywell Arena and The Bridge Leisure Centre during construction. There are also plans to replace the Ladywell Leisure Centre with a new secondary school after 2010, as part of the government's £200m Building Schools for the Future investment programme.