Work is now underway at two leisure centres.

Ground has been broken at Barnet Copthall Leisure Centre, which is being redeveloped for a new facility for the community, and a new centre built at Victoria Recreation Ground in New Barnet, to replace the existing Church Farm Leisure Centre.

This facility will also include a partnership library relocated from the current East Barnet Library.

The new centres comes as part of a £41.5million investment from Barnet Council, and an award of £2million National Lottery funding from Sport England.

Cllr Sachin Rajput, who is the lead member for sport and physical activity, said: "I’m delighted the works for the leisure centres, which will create further sport and physical activity opportunities for our residents, are now underway.

"This comes as part of the council’s investment strategy, which will see a major capital investment between 2016 and 2020 on vital infrastructure including three new schools, an additional Thameslink station, two community hubs, four business hubs, the council’s new offices, road and pavement investment, a new children’s home and the delivery of more than 600 homes over the next five years."

The new centre at Barnet Copthall will include three swimming pools for different abilities, a cafe, sports hall, exercise studios, and fitness suite.

In New Barnet, the centre will include two pools, a cafe, fitness suite, library, tennis courts and games area/

Sport England property director, Charles Johnston, said: "We are delighted to invest £2million National Lottery funding in these two centres which have the potential to transform the way sport and activity is provided in the borough and offer new opportunities for the whole community.

"At Sport England we want everyone to have the chance to experience the benefits that come with being more active, ranging from mental and physical wellbeing to personal development.

"Creating excellent environments such as these, where people feel welcome and have a great experience, plays an essential role in enabling them to become more active and more healthy."

Graham Construction will carry out the construction as part of a £150million contract to deliver infrastructure for Barnet.

Work on both leisure centres is expected to be completed by summer 2019 with the existing Barnet Copthall Leisure Centre and Church Farm Leisure Centre remaining open as normal until the new facilities have been completed.