Leisure centres in Mansfield are to benefit from £2m-worth of improvements as part of a new management contract.

Water Meadows Swimming and Fitness Complex will get interactive water features among other changes, while the new features at Oak Tree Leisure Centre include an outdoor 3G sports pitch and an inflatable obstacle course indoors.

The improvements will come after Mansfield District Council awarded the 10-year contract to Serco Leisure Operating Ltd. The council said it would provide significant savings and improve the environment by implementing £333,000-worth of carbon-reducing and energy-saving measures, which will save 417,825kg of carbon dioxide a year.

Serco and its partner, More Leisure Community Trust Limited, (MLCT) will deliver the service. The current operator, Mansfield District Leisure Trust (MDLT), will cease to exist and staff are being transferred to MLCT ahead of the new contract starting in May.

Coun Andy Burgin, portfolio holder for leisure and environment said: “This new contract marks a fresh start for leisure provision in Mansfield… and looks at introducing new options in the community.”

Simon Lane, Serco managing director, added: “We’re very proud of our record in Mansfield — from the award-winning GP referral scheme, Healthy Life, which has helped hundreds of people ease back into fitness and benefit from more active lifestyles, to Oak Tree Leisure Centre’s run of success at the leisure industry’s premier recognition event, Ukactive.

“We will continue to offer the people of this district affordable, accessible and inclusive health and fitness facilities, working closely with the council to ensure our work aligns with their health and wellbeing targets.”

The contract includes the potential to add the management of the proposed Warsop Health Hub in the future. The hub, which would have a swimming pool and gym, is earmarked to be built in Carr Lane Park as part of the Towns Fund programme, led by the council.

River Maun Recreation Centre is not included in the new leisure contract as it will be transferred to community-focused organisation Switch Up from 1st April.

Other planned improvements in 2022 include a new fun wall climbing zone and party room at Water Meadows. The gym will be refurbished and relocated along with the café, and the wet side changing rooms will be refurbished.

At Oak Tree Leisure Centre, as well as the 3G pitch, there will be a Shapemaster toning suite, inflatable Wipe Out Arena obstacle course for children during school holidays, and a refresh of gym equipment. There will also be a designated group cycling studio and a community hub for local partners and community groups to use, aimed at improving health and wellbeing.

A ‘Poolview’ system will be installed at Rebecca Adlington Swimming Centre to create a safer swimming environment.

A new £50,000 Active Communities annual programme, in conjunction with the council and Mansfield Health Partnership, will provide innovative activities at community venues to encourage people to be more active. It will also take opportunities to those in greatest need, including people living in the council’s priority neighbourhoods — Bellamy, Bull Farm and Pleasley, Oak Tree, Portland (Mansfield town centre) and Warsop.

Non-traditional and specialist activities will encourage those who do not visit traditional leisure centres to become more active.