BOURNEMOUTH Council’s proposals for a £1.2million expansion to the Littledown Centre will be put before the cabinet tomorrow.

The plans show a potential larger state-of-the-art gym and additional fitness studio, as well as a £500,000 investment in the latest equipment from the centre’s operators, BH Live, who run it on behalf of Bournemouth Council.

If approved, the extension would be built at the rear of the building and work would start in autumn, which is estimated to take around 10 months to complete.

Plans also include converting offices into a large multi-purpose fitness studio and the creation of over 100 additional car parking spaces, to cater for the centre’s growing membership, which now stands at more than 7,000.

Peter Gunn, BH Live Chief Executive, described the Littledown Centre as a ‘jewel in the town’s leisure facilities’.

He added: “I am delighted that the council has confidence in our ability to manage the centre and invest with us in its future.

“Since BH Live began managing the centre in 2010, we have made considerable progress in getting more local people more active.

“As a result, Bournemouth has some of the highest levels of participation in physical activity in the UK.

“These planned improvements will only improve the customer experience more.”

The Littledown Centre celebrated its 25th birthday in March, having been visited over 31 million times by members of the public since it was opened in 1989.

It was commissioned by Bournemouth Council as a place to provide the community and visitors with quality public swimming, leisure and sporting facilities.

Cllr John Beesley, leader of Bournemouth Council, said: “The council is delighted to be able to improve this extremely popular leisure facility offering greater health and fitness facilities for our residents.

“Working in partnership with BH Live, which, will significantly enhance our local leisure facilities.

“With the increase in footfall, the ongoing investment ensures it remains fit for purpose and one of the top performing leisure centres in the UK.”