The council had already identified £3m from Glasgow City Region City Deal funding which could be targeted towards improving or replacing Larkhall Leisure Centre, which was built more than 50 years ago. Now councillors have agreed that an additional £6m potentially can be directed towards the project.

Michael McGlynn, executive director of community and enterprise resources, said: “The council has long-term aspirations to ensure the leisure and culture offer across South Lanarkshire is fit for purpose and, given the facility’s age, we have made Larkhall Leisure Centre a priority.

“We have been working with colleagues at South Lanarkshire Leisure and Culture on plans for the centre, and the allocation of this money, once formally approved, would mean we will be able to take forward our plans to invest in leisure facilities in the town.”

The council’s executive committee was told this month that the additional £6m would be available because additional funding had been received to cover costs incurred by the council in the battle against the Covid pandemic.

Paul Manning, executive director of finance and corporate resources, said: “Money we had been holding to cover these costs will now be available for other investments. I am delighted to say that an additional £1.891m could also be available for digital transformation, much of which will help our residents communicate with, and transact with, the council.”

Proposals for the leisure centre itself will form part of an ongoing review by a Cross Party Working Group (CPWG), with an update expected to be reported to the Executive Committee in June.

The wider CPWG review will set the future strategic direction for the type of leisure services and facilities that South Lanarkshire Leisure and Culture will manage and operate on behalf of the council for the whole area.