A £24 million modernisation programme will get underway in Wandsworth, London as Places Leisure wins the operating contract.

The renewed contract begins on 1 October and is for 10 years, with the option to extend for an additional five. Wandsworth Council will invest £18.3 million and Places Leisure £5.7 million in the modernisation programme.

Dan Walker, business development director at Places Leisure, says: “Our investment plans will transform the services for residents and allow the community to thrive. This investment will make much-needed upgrades, as well as introduce some exciting new developments which will benefit the local community.”

The proposed developments include a new wellbeing suite at Putney Leisure Centre, as well as a new reception area, cafe studio, soft play area and party room. Improvements will be made to the swimming pool and the changing rooms and fitness suite will be refurbished.

At Tooting Leisure Centre, a group cycling studio will be added, along with a soft play area, community events room and a luxury health suite. Refurbishments will be made to the reception and cafe, pool, changing rooms and fitness suite.

Wandle Recreation Centre will benefit from four padel courts and an improved health, wellbeing and community offer.

Improvements will be made to the fitness and community offering at Roehampton Sports and Fitness Centre.

A new luxury health suite, reformer Pilates studio and group exercise studio will be added to Balham Leisure Centre, along with improvements to the other areas such as the changing rooms and cycling studio.

The popular Tooting Bec Lido will benefit from a new splash pad, pool pod and events programme.

A pop-up padel court will be added to Battersea Sports Centre, along with an improved health and fitness suite.

Improvements to the pool will be made at Latchmere Leisure Centre, including additional water play features.

Along with the modernisation, there will be a continued focus on getting inactive residents to move more with the Active Communities programme. This offers people in receipt of benefits, asylum seekers and refugees, children in receipt of free school meals and children who are looked after in care, or have just left care, the opportunity for free off-peak gym memberships, half price usage of the sports facilities.

Free swimming crash courses for young children who can’t swim 25 metres and every day 260 free tickets to Tooting Bec Lido are also on offer.

This scheme has been such a success – leading to more than 800,000 bookings in leisure centres – that it is being extended into other council services, such as cultural events and registering births.

As part of the Wandsworth Moves Together strategy, there will also be a focus on delivering more activities in local communities to support residents who aren’t currently active, with the primary focus on the areas with the greatest need.

Paul White, cabinet member for environment, says: “We’re committed to helping people move more, feel better and live healthier lives. This new contract ensures residents benefit from excellent, modern facilities both in our centres and out in the community, especially with the new £24m investment in long overdue improvements over the next four years.

“In addition to this investment, we're continuing to seek out even more opportunities to improve our centres, such as recently securing funding from Sport England and investment from the government to make Putney Leisure Centre more carbon- and energy-efficient. We're committed to delivering the best services for our residents, all while maintaining the lowest council tax in the country.