Work is to begin on a £6.5m revamp of Waterlane Leisure Centre in Lowestoft, Suffolk, after the local authority signed contracts with Pulse Fitness to carry out the scheme.

The venue's renovation has been boosted by a £1.13m Sport England grant to support the swimming element of the project, which will include the creation of a new teaching pool and a moveable floor for the existing main pool. Preparatory works have already commenced at the site, with the centre's sports hall to close in September to be refitted as a temporary gym, fitness studio and smaller sports hall.

The sports hall will be reopened in October when Waterlane's other facilities - swimming pool, squash courts, activity rooms and changing areas - will close. Construction work is expected to take a year to carry out. When complete, the centre will boast the new teaching pool; a fitness suite equipped by Pulse – including virtual training software; a thermal suite and treatment rooms; spectator viewing areas for the pool and sports hall; and an improved climbing wall.

An interactive family gym; a soft play area; a crèche; new changing facilities and a conference and function suite are also proposed. The sports hall will be returned to its six-court size. Waveney District Council (WDC) has received a contribution from Lowestoft Sixth Form College in exchange for students' free use of facilities, while the council has also reserved capital from the sale of some land to the college.

The remainder will come from commercial finance, with the centre repaying the loan using increased income it is anticipated the scheme will generate. WDC portfolio holder for healthy communities Stephen Ardley said: "Importantly, the refurbishment pays for itself over a 20-year term, ensuring that council taxpayers' money is unaffected."