Leisure Connection will manage the £4.2m Parklands Leisure Centre in Okehampton when it opens in October 2004.

West Devon Borough Council received £3.2m in lottery funding for the facility, which replaces Okehampton Swimming Pool and promises to significantly improve swimming provision for the local community.

Facilities at the site will comprise of a 35-station fitness suite, four-lane, 25m swimming pool with a movable floor, a four-court sports hall aerobics studio, crèche, function room and four all-weather tennis courts.

Leisure Connection will be installing its Harpers club brand at the site, as well as its popular Aqua Action SwimSchool brand.

The company has also secured the management contract for another of the council’s facilities, the Meadowlands Leisure Centre in Tavistock.

Opened in 1990, the centre incorporates a leisure pool as well as a toddler pool, giant flume ride and a café / restaurant.