Oxford City Council (OCC) has approved plans for a raft of improvements to be carried out at a number of leisure venues in the second phase of its investment programme.

Under the proposals backed by members of the cabinet on 21 September is an renovation of first floor areas at Oxford Ice Rink, along with the café, entrance, foyer and reception.

Additional multi-purpose space will also be created at the ice rink, which is seen as a facility of "great opportunity and a fundamental part of the city's high quality leisure portfolio".

Elsewhere, Blackbird Leys Leisure Centre will benefit from a resurfacing and refurbishment of outdoor tennis courts in order to allow for other activities, such as five-a-side football.

Barton Leisure Centre is to see an indoor spin cycling facility added to its new fitness suite, while Ferry Leisure Centre will also get a new spin studio and a reconfigured entrance.

A report put before councillors said: "In October 2010, phase one of the improvement works were completed, which have witnessed an annual increase of 98,000 visits to our leisure centres."