Leisure operators Fusion Lifestyle and Active Life have committed to investing £11.5m in improving facilities in Kent, following the signing of a long-term lease deal with Canterbury City Council.

The deal will see Active Life enter into 50-year leases for the council’s three main leisure centres and then work with Fusion to deliver an investment package of circa £11.5m into Kingsmead Leisure Centre in Canterbury, Herons Leisure Centre in Herne Bay and Whitstable Swimming Pool.

The investment package will result in the refurbishment and redeveloping of the leisure centres – including the creation of extended and improved fitness facilities, new family-friendly play facilities and on-site cafés.

As part of the deal, Active Life – set up as a local charity to operate the sites – will become a subsidiary of Fusion, but will continue operating with an independent identity and a local board.

David Ford, director of commissioned services at Canterbury City Council said: “This will be a huge investment in leisure facilities, and we know from our previous consultations that the demand from local people is definitely there.

"The merger between Active Life and Fusion Lifestyle will bring considerable benefits for both us and residents – it's a great combination of local knowledge and the experience of a larger, national operator.”

Peter Kay, CEO of Fusion, added: “In an increasingly challenging environment for local authority leisure services, there is a demand for greater efficiency and more innovative thinking.

"This partnership between Fusion and Active Life allows both organisations to further their charitable objectives and delivers to the city council significant improvements to their leisure facilities and the future financial position.”