Plans for a £4.8m scheme to create new fitness and youth facilities in Liverpool, along with a new home for Toxteth Fire Station, have been unveiled by the local authority.

The Toxteth Firefit proposals have now been lodged with the Big Lottery Fund, which is to include the redevelopment of Toxteth Sports Centre. Facilities will include a sports hall, a fitness suite, a climbing wall and a dance/drama studio, as well as a multi-activity room. Cass Associates are behind the designs.

It is anticipated that a £2.3m Big Lottery Fund grant will help fund the scheme as part of the Myplace initiative, along with a £500,000 contribution from Liverpool City Council (LCC). Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service will invest £2m to relocate its current Toxteth base to the new development, which it is hoped will be completed by summer 2012.

LCC cabinet member for youth service Ann O'Byrne said: "The existing sports centre is looking tired and in need of major investment and this scheme will breathe new life into the whole site."