London-based sports trust Greenwich Leisure (GLL) has taken over the management of four facilities on behalf of the London Borough of Hillingdon.

As of 1 October, GLL is now responsible for the operation of Highgrove Pool, Queensmead Sports Centre, Hayes Pool and Hayes Stadium Sports Centre.

The partnership with Hillingdon council will see £4.5m invested in the centres over the next decade.

A further £1m wil be invested in the council's new £15m Botwell Green Sports & Leisure Centre which will also be managed by the trust when it opens in early 2010 to replace Hayes Pool which will close at the end of this year.

The new facility will boast a 140-station fitness centre, a specialist gymnastics centre, an artificial turf pitch, 25-metre swimming pool, a café, a créche and a library.

Cllr Henry Higgins, Cabinet member for Culture, Sport & Leisure at Hillingdon Council, said: "This is an exciting time for Hillingdon as we embark on a new era for leisure facilities in our borough. With brand new facilities at Hillingdon Sports & Leisure Complex and Botwell Green in Hayes, we have planted the seeds of what will become a legacy for future generations.

"We are pleased to be working in partnership with GLL on the management of Botwell Green with its dedicated gymnastics training facility, Highgrove Pool and Queensmead Sports Centre to ensure that our residents and visitors benefit from excellent leisure facilities in their local area, helping us to become a more active, more healthy and successful sporting borough."

Mark Sesnan, managing director of GLL, added: "We are delighted to have been invited to work in partnership with Hillingdon Council and are committed to providing first class leisure and sporting facilities to local residents.

"We believe our experience - GLL currently operates more than 65 public leisure centres across Greater London and the South East - coupled with our status as a 'not for profit' social enterprise - means that we have both the operational skills and community focus that will enable us to successfully operate a range of facilities across the borough."

Image: Artist's impression of Botwell Green Sports & Leisure Centre