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

In addition to squash and boxing facilities, the building – which will be operated by Active Luton and is due to open in early 2012 – will also include a 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. Createability has been named as development partner.

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.

Active Luton is a trust that operates the sports and leisure facilities on behalf of Luton Borough Council.