Bristol City Council (BCC) has opened new fitness suites at its leisure centres in Horfield and Henbury as part of an £11m refurbishment project – its first major investment in leisure for 20 years.

Olympic gold medallist Darren Campbell officially opened the refurbished Horfield Leisure Centre on 18 November.

The extended centre – which previously comprised a small gym, a sports hall and squash courts – features a 100-station fitness suite with Inclusive Fitness Initiative accredited equipment supplied by Star Trac.

It also includes a 25m, eight-lane competition standard swimming pool; a large learner pool; spectator seating for up to 250 people; an exercise studio with wooden sprung flooring; a large multi-purpose sports hall; four glass-backed squash courts; a café and a meeting room.

Classes on offer range from karate, yoga and trampolining to chair aerobics, 50+ conditioning and post-natal exercise.

The Henbury Leisure Centre, part of Henbury Secondary School but owned by Bristol City Council, features a new 60-station fitness suite and a new 25m swimming pool.

It also includes a learner pool, a dance studio, a sports hall and a full size all-weather pitch.

The centres are currently owned and managed by BCC, following a decision by former operator Bristol Community Sport to cease trading.

The council is undertaking a tendering process for the future management of the facilities, with a new operator expected to be in place by the beginning of 2006. Details: www.bristol-city.gov.uk/horfield