South Bedfordshire District Council is set to invest £1.4m to upgrade and refurbish both Dunstable and Tiddenfoot Leisure Centres.

Steve Rodgers, community operations manager for the council, said: “We want to ensure that the people who live within our district have access to the very best facilities, which will contribute to helping them stay fit and healthy.”

The council, along with Leisure Connection, which manages both centres, aims to complete the improvements by April 2005.

£1m is to be spent on Tiddenfoot Leisure Centre and work has already begun with plans for a new dance studio, an extension to the Harpers Fitness facility, expansion of the crèche and a new vending area.

The remaining £400,000 will be invested in Dunstable Leisure Centre, beginning with the redevelopment of its Harpers Fitness suite.

The second stage of work at Dunstable will start on 24 January 2005, when the centre’s swimming pool will close for 10 weeks for essential maintenance work. The pool will re-open at the beginning of April.

Dunstable Leisure Centre will also benefit from a new reception area, treatment rooms, dance studio and artificial turf, plus refurbishments to its changing facilities and children’s area.

James Bliss, Leisure Connection’s contract manager for Dunstable and Tiddenfoot Lesiure Centres, said: “Together with the council, we have designed the improvements to both centres in order to meet the current expectations of our members and customers.”

South Beds District Council and Leisure Connection have shared plans with groups who use the facilities and who will be affected by the renovations.

Bliss added: “Some disruption to services and temporary closure of some areas is unfortunately unavoidable. We ask for the community’s patience and understanding throughout the works. I will work closely with the appointed contractor to ensure any disruption is kept to a minimal level.”