27 August 2010 Last updated at 07:33 ET

Lowestoft leisure centre's £6.5m facelift under way

The pool at Waterlane Leisure Centre is to get a moveable floor

The £6.5m redevelopment of a leisure centre in a Suffolk town is about to get under way.

Waveney District Council and Pulse Fitness have signed contracts to begin the complete refurbishment of Waterlane leisure centre in Lowestoft.

In 2009 Sport England awarded the scheme a grant of more than £1m for a brand new teaching pool and moveable floor for the existing pool.

The redevelopment of the centre is expected to take about a year.

When it re-opens, the facility will also include a fitness suite, a creche, cafe and a conference and function suite.

Councillor Stephen Ardley, Waveney District Council, said: "Importantly, the refurbishment pays for itself over a 20-year term, ensuring that council tax payers' money is unaffected.

"Everyone I've spoken to about the project is looking forward to using the revamped leisure centre and I'm sure it will serve as a great asset to Lowestoft by providing outstanding facilities for the people of Waveney."