Southampton City Council is moving to secure the future of the city's leisure centres by investing £18 million as the current operator's contract expires in just four months.

After the shock announcement on April 2 that Active Leisure would cease trading immediately in Southampton, Places Leisure absorbed responsibilities at seven leisure centres.

But the council did confirm to the Echo that the current contract with Places Leisure expires on August 31 this year.

A new £18 million contract is set to go to tender on April 21, according to "estimated" information on the government's "Find A Tender" website, as the council looks for someone to manage its leisure centres.

This will allow businesses to bid to win the contract and take over management responsibilities at leisure centres, including The Quays Swimming & Diving Complex, Bitterne Leisure Centre, Chamberlayne Leisure Centre, Southampton Outdoor Sports Centre and Alpine Snowsports Centre.

READ MORE: Will my Active Nation membership still work in Southampton?

When the contract does go to tender, it could be renewed with the existing operator Places Leisure, though this remains uncertain until it is awarded.

The council started an agreement with Places Leisure - part of the Places for People group - in 2010.

Responsibilities also include the "provision of bookings of playing pitches across the city".

The estimated contract date would run from September 1 to August 31, 2027, with an option extension to August 2028.

Southampton City Council also confirmed to the Echo that it is "anticipated" that "all relevant staff will transfer to the employment of Places Leisure".

READ MORE: Update after leisure centre operator pulls out of city

The council confirmed the contract's expiry date one day after Active Nation cited "immense pressure" in utility costs, leading to the "difficult decision" to axe operations in the city.

It was quickly confirmed that leisure centres would be ran as normal by Places Leisure and the local authority confirmed that current membership fees were "safe" and that those who hold one will be "able to access our leisure centres as normal".

The council will still maintain ownership of the leisure facilities "at this time" and those with a membership will be contacted by the new operator as their direct debits are transferred.

On the Active Nation transition, opposition Councillor Jeremy Moulton praised Places Leisure staff for being on site to help with the transition.

The ward member for Millbrook said it was "reassuring" to know that "people's memberships are protected and classes that they've booked and paid for in advance are protected".