Three operators have been shortlisted to design, build and manage a multi-million pound leisure facility in Bristol.

Bristol City Council has invited DC Leisure, Parkwood and Community Solutions for Leisure to submit a detailed proposal for the development of the £21m sports and leisure centre at Hengrove Park in Bristol.

The successful company will be announced in May 2008.

Funded through the government’s PFI scheme, with significant capital investment anticipated from Sport England, subject to formal Regional Sports Board approval, the development will form part a “Healthplex”, which will include a new community hospital for South Bristol.

The council says the centre will be a huge boost to the quality of sports and swimming provision in the south of the city. Facilities are likely to include an eight-lane, 50m swimming pool; leisure and learner pool, 100-station health and fitness suite; aerobics studio and a four-court sports hall.

A Healthy Living Zone with a café and crèche, set in an indoor landscaped area connecting the centre to the surrounding parkland, will provide advice on healthy living.

The centre would be linked via a new public open space with the neighbouring South Bristol Community, recognising the critical relationship between fitness and good health.

It will be served by cycle and car parking and a new bus terminus to deliver improved public transport links.

“Health and fitness go together - so it is logical that a leisure centre and local health facilities should connect in this way,” says Councillor Simon Cook.

Work on the centre will start at the end of 2008, subject to final planning approvals, with a opening planned for spring 2010.

Caption: DC Leisure is in the running for its 10th pfi/ppp project. Previous projects include the £12.5m leisure centre in Wednesfield, Wolverhampton which opened in December.