Building works are set to begin on an exciting new £1.5m fitness, squash and boxing facility on the site of the old snooker and squash club in Lewsey Park.

The announcement from Active Luton comes after a recent feasibility study, including discussions with Sport England and the national governing bodies for squash and boxing, revealed that there was a lack of accessible facilities in the area.

In addition to first class squash and boxing facilities, the building which is due to open in early 2012, will also include a state-of-the-art health and fitness suite and an education training room.

Lewsey Boxing Club will use the centre as their permanent base and the Amateur Boxing Association for England has committed £100,000 towards the development.

Luton and Dunstable Squash and Rackets Club is also supportive and will use the centre to further enhance their partnership with Active Luton's outreach and education teams, supporting their work with local schools. In addition, English Squash and Racketball is contributing £50,000 towards its development.

Active Luton secured a loan from the Co-op bank for the development after the Council agreed to act as its guarantor, and work on this site is due to commence in the next couple of weeks.

Helen Barnett, chief executive of Active Luton, said: "We are very excited about this development which will not only help us retain existing members, but the improved facilities will also ensure that we attract new players from the local community.

"This is an important development for the Lewsey area which has been on the wrong side of participation and health statistics for a long time; so we are very grateful for support the Council and national governing bodies have given us to ensure all the necessary funding is in place."

Active Luton, the organisation commissioned by Luton Borough Council to run sports and recreation activities and facilities across the town, will ensure the centre is accessible to the local community by offering memberships and pay as you go options, as well as concessionary fees through the Council's Go4Less scheme.

Cllr Mohammed Ashraf, portfolio holder for sports and arts, said: "At a time when improving health is so high on our agenda, we are proud to be working with Active Luton to improve the quality and quantity of sports facilities in Luton.

"We also want to develop future Luton sports champions and superb facilities like this one will help make sure this can happen. I am confident that people in Lewsey and the surrounding area will make full use of these great facilities."