Fareham Leisure Centre in Fareham, Hampshire, is set to launch its new fitness studio this weekend (26 November).

The new 7,000sq ft (650sq m) Banana Fitness gym and 5,000sq ft (465sq m) group exercise studio form phase one of a £1.3m improvement programme at the centre.

The target membership for the gym – which has been equipped by Precor – is 3,000.

Banana Fitness will officially open on 28 November, when the existing 2,250sq ft (210sq m) gym, which presently serves 1,650 members, will close.

At the same time, phase two of the refurbishment will begin with the development of the new Stir Café and a relaxation area, scheduled to open in February 2006.

Work will also begin on new fitness changing facilities, which are due to be completed by April next year, along with a new childcare centre and nursery.

Existing facilities at the 45,000sq ft (4,200sq m) leisure centre include a 25m, six-lane swimming pool, a 12m teaching pool, a sauna, two multi-activity halls and three squash courts.

The centre is owned by Fareham Borough Council and managed by Sports & Leisure Management (SLM).

SLM, which has provided the investment for the project, signed a 10-year management contract with the council in May.

Banana Fitness is the health and fitness arm of SLM. Details: www.bananafitness.net