Sobell Leisure Centre in Islington, London is to undergo a major refurbishment in a bid to provide low-cost healthy activities for all residents.

In July 2010 Islington Council agreed a programme of refurbishment to help extend the centres life. The first stage included improving the main hall, which came in time for the centre to be used as the official venue for Olympic volleyball training in 2012.

Now a further investment of close to £1.4m will see the installation of two new artificial, floodlit football pitches, followed by improvements within the centre itself.

The new football pitches, with high-tec surfaces, will be constructed over the course of the summer with work expected to be complete in August.

Once this work is completed, a programme of internal work will begin from August until December. This will see: new gymnastics equipment; increasing the size of the fitness gym by a third; the creation of a new boxing gym; an upgrade of the training room; and improvements to the Junior Gym.

Other improvements will include new posts/goals for volleyball basketball and netball, the installation of retractable spectator seating and a redesign of the existing changing rooms to create separate spaces for health and fitness, schools and football customers.

Janet Burgess, councillor for health and wellbeing, said: “Improving the health and wellbeing of our residents is a council priority. One of the ways we do this is by providing great value leisure facilities for residents of all ages and abilities to enjoy.”