The University of Exeter is to invest £8 million in sports facilities, it has announced.

The new facilities planned for the university's main Streatham Campus will include a state-of-the-art health and fitness suite, new exercise studios and upgraded tennis and netball courts. Work is due to start on the sports park this summer, and to be completed early next year.

Once the refurbishments are finished Exeter will be home to one of the UK's largest tennis centres. Outdoors, the hockey pitch will be re-surfaced to ensure it remains Olympic standard – the only pitch of its type in the region.

The new purpose-built health and fitness studio will provide more 200 exercise stations, featuring the latest innovations in sports conditioning alongside traditional equipment.

One of the new exercise studios will be dedicated to high-impact static bike exercise classes, such as spinning. The exercise bikes will power the studio's sound and lighting equipment, making it carbon neutral. Other improvements include a new entrance, cafe and new changing rooms.

Phil Attwell, the university's director of sport and student activities, said yesterday: "We are really excited about our plans to develop world-class sports facilities for the University of Exeter.

"This will be a huge boost for our students – whether they are keen athletes or just want to stay fit and active – and will help Exeter maintain its reputation as one of the UK's top ten universities.

"The refurbishment will also benefit the wider community of Exeter and we very much look forward to welcoming local people to enjoy the new facilities."

Beth Hampson, president of the university's Athletic Union, said: "This investment is fantastic news and will enhance the experience for all students. It will benefit those who just want to use health and fitness facilities as well as dramatically helping club activity."

The university is currently investing £350 million in its campuses in Exeter and Cornwall.