Work has got underway on a new £6.44m leisure centre at Forest Fields, Nottingham, as part of the city council's £18.5m Leisure Centre Transformation Programme to improve the city's sports facilities.

The new centre, which has been designed by Archial Architects and will be built by ISG Regions, is to be situated alongside the Djanogly City Academy and will replace the exisiting Noel Street Leisure Centre. Nottingham City Council (NCC) will manage the facility, which will include a 25m swimming pool, a 50-station fitness suite, a multi-activity fitness studio, a sauna and a steamroom, as well as changing facilities.

Funding for the new leisure centre, which is scheduled to open in March 2010, is being provided by NCC along with a £2.2m contribution from the Neighbourhood Development Company. The Noel Street Leisure Centre will remain open until the scheme is completed. David Trimble, NCC's portfolio holder for communities, leisure and culture, said: "This is an exciting new development in the council's Leisure Transformation programme, which means that yet another community will be able to benefit from top class fitness facilities.

"The council's continued investment in its leisure facilities supports our aim to inspire more people to be more active more often, which have improved facilities so far at John Carroll, Portland and Ken Martin Leisure Centres, where we have seen an increase in attendances."