South Lanarkshire Leisure's new leisure facility - South Lanarkshire Lifestyles Lanark - is nearing completion and is set to open in January 2010.

The new structure houses a 25m, 6-lane swimming pool with a health suite; a gym; a fitness studio; a Starbucks coffee shop; changing areas and a covered link to the adjacent Harry Smith Complex, an adult day care centre. SLL general manager Gerry Campbell said: "Having all of these new facilities under one roof will be far more convenient for customers. It will encourage customers to try different leisure activities, and perhaps increase overall levels of physical activity".

The Harry Smith Complex provides a day support service for 80 adults with learning difficulties. Its facilities include a computer controlled multi-sensory room, an art room, two community rooms, and an internet café. Elsewhere in the South Lanarkshire district, a £190,000 pitch upgrading project is well underway at Hamilton Palace Sports Grounds, with the pitches planned to be ready for use by 4 December.

Three existing sand-based 5-a-side courts are being replaced with new 3G turf surfaces, and roof nets will also be installed. In addition, the existing sand-based 7-a-side area will be upgraded and partitioned to create three individual playing courts. Two of these will be resurfaced with a sand-based surface, which can be used for both tennis and football. The third court will be replaced with a 3G TigerTurf surface and include a roof net. Hamilton Palace Sports Grounds also feature an indoor pitch which will be resurfaced with a new 3G carpet as part of the project.