Leisure trust and social enterprise Tone has successfully tendered to manage the operation of Churchill Sports Centre in North Somerset.

Tone plans to invest over £100,000 in environment savings measures, equipment and improving the facilities which, along with North Somerset Council's £800,000 investment, will mean an almost £1 million modernisation scheme for the site.

Tone, which operates 11 other leisure facilities in Somerset and Devon on behalf of local authorities, will commence the contract in April 2011 for an initial period of six and a half years, with an option to extend for a further 4 years.

Plans for the facility, which is on the same site as Churchill Community School and sixth form, include replacing the current red-gra pitch with a £300,000 all-weather pitch and the conversion of a multi-use area into a purpose built health and fitness facility. The current gym and reception desk will be remodelled to provide an improved reception area and a lift to the first floor will be installed, as well as a dry changing area and an aerobic studio.

North Somerset Council operated a competitive tender process, during which six expressions of interest were received. Each organisation was asked to submit a proposal for operating the centre in its current state as well as one that detailed investment plans. Tone's 'with investment' proposal was found to be the best in terms of value for money and sustainability in the medium term.

"In the current climate it's a fantastic achievement for Tone to be taking on a new contract," said Joel Chapman, Tone's commercial director. "By outsourcing its leisure management requirements, North Somerset Council will be able to make some all-important cost-savings, whilst the capital investment will vastly improve the facilities for the local community, leading to greater revenue generation.

"Along with operating facilities, a major part of what we do at Tone is working within communities to encourage healthy lifestyles and wellbeing. So whilst we're excited about having a fantastic new centre to manage, we're also looking at ways in which we can take our community-based services to a new location, helping people of all ages and abilities get active and feel good."

Cllr Felicity Baker, North Somerset Council's executive member for leisure services, said: "This is an important investment by both the council and Tone Leisure. The planned works will improve what the centre has to offer which will help attract more users to the complex from a wider area."