The redevelopment of Westminster Lodge Leisure Centre and the construction of a new facility in London Colney, Hertfordshire, are now underway following the appointment of a design team.

Developer Drivers Jonas has selected S&P Architects, landscape architects CBA and consultants Strategic Leisure to move the project forward.

Stephen Jepson, a partner in Drivers Jonas’s specialist DJ Sport team, said: “We are delighted to have won this commission. We put a lot of time and effort into bidding for this work and we are looking forward to working with the council and other key stakeholders on this exciting and challenging project.”

The Westminster Centre will provide a 25-metre, eight-lane swimming pool and a learner pool with a moveable floor, as well as a fitness suite and a spa area.

A café, crèche and dedicated youth provision will also meet community needs.

Jonas and St Albans District Council are currently working together to find a development partner to help deliver the new sports and leisure facility at the Cotlandswick site in London Colney.

The council will provide £19m of funding towards the two projects, which will be delivered in partnership with the private sector.

“These are really exciting times for leisure in St Albans,” said cllr Robert Donald, leader of the district council.

“The new centre at Westminster Lodge in particular will be a high-quality development offering a wide range of opportunities in swimming, dry sport and leisure activities within a wonderful parkland setting, overlooked by the abbey.”

Both leisure facilities are scheduled to open by the end of 2012.