Pellikaan Construction and Studio E architects are nearing the completion of a £23m major refurbishment and redevelopment of two leisure centres for Watford Borough Council.

The first, The Woodside Leisure Centre will reopen 7 June 2008, following the overhaul.

The Centre has an eight-lane, 25m swimming pool with moveable floor, a learner pool, a sauna, an eight-court sports hall, four squash courts and a 3,000 sq ft (280 sq m), 100-station fitness suite.

The gym will feature Precor exercise equipment, along with two Power-Plates and four '3 Kick' machines - “a new feature not only to Woodside, but to the whole of SLM,” says Duncan Jefford, director for SLM South-East, which will operate both centres.

Woodside will also boast four synthetic pitches, dance studios, treatment rooms, a café, a crèche, and the original athletics stadium.

Garry Stewart from Studio E Architects said: “Sustainability was a key consideration in the design of both buildings --and they’re equipped with renewable energy features. These include roof-mounted solar panels, rainwater recycling and a geothermal heat pump, with 100-metre deep boreholes.”

The second project is a redevelopment of the old Watford Central Baths which will be renamed Watford Central Leisure Centre.

This project is currently on-site and due for completion in June this year. It will open in the first week of August. When completed the building will house a three-storey climbing wall, six-lane 25m swimming pool, learner pool, four court sports hall and 75-station fitness suite.

The opening of the new facilities, will make Watford’s Bill Everett Community Centre redundant, and it will close on 18 May.