Following a rigorous re-tender process, charitable Social Enterprise GLL has been awarded a 15-year contract to manage three local leisure centres on behalf of Merton Council.

The agreement will see the leisure operator run Canons Leisure Centre, Wimbledon Leisure Centre and Morden Park Pools and implement a £3.5m investment programme.

Areas earmarked for improvement include Wimbledon Leisure Centre, which will benefit from an upgraded Health & Fitness area and Canons Leisure Centre where a dedicated junior activity zone will be opened.

The contract has a strong focus on performance targets, including increasing participation, customer satisfaction, consistency in cleaning standards and delivery of maintenance projects.

Cabinet member for community and culture councillor at Merton Council Martin Whelton said: "We are happy to be continuing our working relationship with GLL over the next 15 years.

"We know that our leisure centres are important to our residents, offering them many activities to keep healthy and to have fun. GLL has a proven track record providing sport and leisure activities to Merton residents. We want to encourage as many people as possible to use our excellent leisure facilities and take advantage of the many programmes on offer."

Mark Sesnan, Managing Director of GLL, added: "We are delighted to have won the re-tender, it is a strong vote of confidence for the work we have done in the borough to date and the quality of service we offer leisure users.

"Working in partnership with the Council we are ideally placed to implement a long-term strategy that will see significant investment into Merton's leisure centres over the coming 15 years and the introduction of new facilities and services."

GLL has operated leisure centres within the London Borough of Merton since 2001, currently employing more than 180 local people.