Bristol City Council (BCC) and operator Parkwood Leisure have announced the opening of a £32m flagship leisure facility as part of the regeneration of the city's Hengrove Park area.

Hengrove Park Leisure Centre was funded with £35.06m of private finance initiative credits from the Department of Culture, Media and Sport and was built by lead contractor Kier.

The LA Architects-designed building has opened on time and on budget, with facilities such as a 10-lane, 50m swimming pool and a teaching pool - both incorporating moveable floors.

A Precor-equipped gym with 150 stations and a free weights area; a spin studio with 25 spinning bikes; and a spa area featuring a hot tub, a sauna and steamroom are also among the facilities.

Elsewhere, Hengrove Park Leisure Centre offers a four-court sports hall; two group fitness studios with wooden sprung flooring; an indoor climbing wall; and changing spaces.

BCC deputy leader Simon Cook said: "[The centre's] opening demonstrates the council's commitment to invest in sports and health promotion and further strengthens our drive to provide high quality leisure services and facilities for everyone.

"It also marks another massive step forward in the regeneration of south Bristol and the development and investment in Hengrove Park bringing with it new employment and training opportunities for local people."

Bishopsworth Swimming Pool has now shut following the completion of the new Hengrove Park facility, which is the third new leisure complex to open in Bristol in recent years.

Details: www.leisurecentre.com