As of 1 December, Tone Leisure has taken over the management of South Hams District Council’s four leisure centres.

The new 10-year contract will see the leisure trust begin work this month upgrading facilities at Quayside Leisure Centre and South Dartmoor Leisure Centre.

A £700,000 investment will see the current gym at Quayside extended to offer specific zones and equipment for inductions and cardiac rehabilitation. A treatment room and fitness testing room will also be created. The project is being managed by Alliance Leisure.

At South Dartmoor, a 38-station gym will be created in an old activity area while the existing gym will be converted into an aerobic studio. The bar will become a crèche/multi-purpose area.

New fitness equipment will also be installed at Dartmouth Leisure Centre before the end of the year.

Juliette Dickinson, managing director of Tone Leisure, said: “Both leisure centres are in need of improvements, particularly the health and fitness facilities, which are currently very small. Tone Leisure is looking forward to bringing some exciting new facilities and activity programmes to the local communities in South Hams.”

Photograph: The existing gym at South Dartmoor Leisure Centre