Fowey is to place itself very definitely on the leisure industry map with the opening of a superb new facility which includes a sports hall, state-of-the-art fitness suite, squash courts, badminton courts, dance studio and creche.

The Fowey community leisure centre, managed by Circa Leisure plc on behalf of Fowey community college, is to open its doors with an array of promotions on October 23 at 10am. The fun day will enable people to see first hand the wide range of new sports facilities, these including the Centre's brand of children's activities, known as Planet Action.

Robbie Dee of Pirate FM will be orchestrating things at the open day, and will be awarding a host of prizes which include discounted memberships, Little Tykes equipment, a Sony PlayStation, mountain bikes and free flights to Brussels with Virgin Express.

The development, built with Lottery funds by Midas Construction of St Austell, has an impressive sports hall with 'Granwood' floor which can host a huge variety of games from basketball to volleyball and indoor football to tennis. Its Harpers Fitness Suite features treadmills, bikes, steppers and rowers, as well as weights equipment. All customers using the suite will complete a professional two-part induction to ensure they get the very best from the equipment on offer for a safe, effective safe exercise programme. Once fully trained the qualified, approachable coaches will provide customers with a personalised programme to help them ensure their health and fitness goals.

Latest technology means that the light, bright dance studio, which will be the venue for around 20 classes a week, has a wonderful sprung floor for fitness sessions and aerobic work-outs. The squash courts also have sprung floors, and are in the latest recommended decor colours of grey and pale yellow.

The creche will have trained staff on hand to help, while Planet Action will be the ultimate adventure club for children in the holidays and after school. Soft play sessions will be offered to complement the Planet Action club, and children's parties will be among the activities which can be held in the centre. Children's club co-ordinator, Linda Giggs, said of the activities for youngsters: 'We will be featuring some of the most exciting programmes to hit the leisure market in recent years, including Tearless and Fearless for the under five years, the Amazing World of FitClub for those aged between five and 11, and Aero Kidz/AeroJam for the 11-16 year olds.'

The facilities are already in use by the college students, with the college having first claim on facilities during school hours - although staff stressed the centre will still be open to the public during these hours.

Opening times will be 7am-10pm Mondays-Fridays, 8am-6pm Saturdays and 8am-8pm Sundays. An annual £10 membership allows customers to use facilities like the gym for £3.50 a session, as opposed to £4. Alternatively there are £28 monthly membership packages. Any queries regarding membership should be addressed to membership adviser, Gail Foley, on 0800 037 2736. Special memberships are currently available for those visiting the exhibition centre, or calling the centre at the freephone number given above.

Centre manager, Karen Davidson, said: 'This leisure centre will be providing something for everybody in the community. We are very happy to be bringing the newest fitness club in the rapidly growing Harpers chain to Fowey. This is an exciting time for us and we look forward to providing a top class service for the local people.'

The head teacher at the college, Dr Bill Leach, said of the £1.7 million new centre that he knew it had passed the test when a year 11 student praised it as being 'brilliant'. Dr Leach said: 'It is a magnificent facility and all the youngsters are over the moon with it.'

Circa Leisure, based in Rochford in Essex and with over l00 leisure facilities nationwide, has pledged matching funding to help with the next targeted development at the site, this including covering the existing outdoor heated swimming pool, and providing a cafe/restaurant and bar.

It is planned that Lottery money for this will be applied for by the end of the year.

Although there are plans to increase its potential the outdoor pool will be in use next summer as part of the centre facilities, which took 40 weeks to construct.

Ten full-time staff are employed at the centre, plus part time and casual staff.

All will be pleased to welcome customers, especially on the special open day when the brand new facilities will be open for inspection by the public.