Thousands of people are set to benefit from the opening of a brand-new soft play facility in Boscombe.
Following months of work, the specialist facility at Kings Park Leisure and Learning Centre will open at the beginning of April.
Government funding for the project was secured after direct community feedback highlighting the need for affordable local indoor leisure activities for young people.
As well as brand new soft play facilities, upgrades include an extended cafe/multi-use function space, new heating and ventilation throughout the centre and improved accessibility with new ramps.
An additional £100,000 has now been secured from central government to install a multi-use sports floor with work set to be complete before April 1.
This will provide an enhanced leisure offering and mean sports such as badminton, pickleball and martial arts can be introduced.
The centre currently supports more than 2,000 individuals who are enrolled on to the Adult Skills and Learning courses on the first floor.
The ground floor is home to 500 members of the internationally competitive Bournemouth Elite Cheerleaders.
It is anticipated that the new refurbishments will see an additional 11,000 participants take part in sports and activities.
Customers can book fitness classes today by downloading the BCP Leisure app or visiting the website at https://www.bcpleisure.co.uk/book/kings-park-leisure-and-learning-centre
The launch event and grand opening of the new facility will take place in April.
Cllr Richard Herrett, Portfolio Holder for Destination, Leisure, and Commercial Operations at BCP Council, said: “I am looking forward to the opening of this brilliant new facility in Kings Park – delivered because of feedback from the local community.
“Thousands of people have already benefited from the support offered at Kings Park Leisure and Learning Centre and this refurbishment further demonstrates our commitment to ensuring it serves the residents and community of Boscombe and BCP as a whole, long into the future.
“Work over the past few months has transformed the space into an area that will benefit the entire community and provide a great destination for families to socialise and have fun.
“The facility, managed by BCP Leisure, will help generate income which the council can then reinvest into the continued development of Kings Park Leisure and Learning Centre.”