A turf-cutting ceremony has taken place to mark the start of work on a new £15.3m leisure centre in Kirkcaldy, which is one of three facilities to be developed across Fife.

Graham Construction has been selected by Fife Council and Fife Sports and Leisure Trust to deliver the project, which is scheduled for completion in summer 2013.

B3 Architects are the lead consultant and joint architects with Cre8 Architecture on the project.

Facilities at the new Kirkcaldy leisure centre will include a 25m, six-lane swimming pool; a training pool with moveable floor; and accessible wet-side changing areas.

A health suite with a sauna and steamroom; and a 60-station fitness suite will also form part of the venue, along with an aerobics studio; a four-court sports hall; and a kids play centre.

The new Kirkcaldy facility, which is expected to attract 200,000 visitors a year once open, is part of Fife Council's £55m Future of Leisure programme to improve local provision.

Brian Goodall, chair of the council's housing and communities committee, said: "It's great that this project is continuing to make such positive progress.

"Last year, we saw the first of the three facilities completed with the Carnegie Leisure Centre in Dunfermline now open."

Graham Group executive chair Michael Graham added: "Ground excavations are now underway to allow the construction of the swimming pool, which is the first major step towards Kirkcaldy's great new facility."

Image (from left): Alice Soper and Brian Goodall of Fife Council with Michael Graham