Three leisure centres in North Herts will undergo major works in the coming months as part of a £1.1million refurbishment project.
North Herts Leisure Centre in Letchworth, Royston Leisure Centre and Hitchin Swimming and Fitness Centre will all benefit from the project, which is funded by Everyone Active and North Herts Council.
The £750,000 refurbishment at North Herts Leisure Centre has begun with structural changes to the gym area - repurposing an old office and storage area to create additional gym space.
There will be new Life Fitness cardio equipment at the gym, including arc trainers, cross trainers, rowers and treadmills, as well as advanced resistance equipment.
Along with new strength training facilities, the gym will receive new free weights, benches, dumbbells and squat racks, and the space will be refurbished to make it look modern and inviting.
Towards the end of July, work will begin at Royston Leisure Centre to improve the existing cycling studio and gym changing rooms.
The project will introduce new Kaiser bikes and innovative audio-visual equipment, while doubling the size of the existing cycling studio along with its number of bikes.
In addition, North Herts Council will be investing £116,000 in improvements to the gym changing rooms, with a new look to the showers, cubicle, tiling and vanity areas.
Finally, works at Hitchin Swimming and Fitness Centre include the refurbishment of two studios and the introduction of a new spin studio, complete with 21 Keiser bikes.
The project will also see the unveiling of Everyone Active's first Reformer Studio, from a concept by Reformer Pilates.
Basic mats will be replaced with Reformer machines, using moving platforms and adjustable resistance along with straps, boxes, balls, gondola poles, resistance bands and hand weights for dynamic exercises.
Mark Leahy, regional contract manager at Everyone Active, said: "The improvements mark a significant step forward for the district’s leisure facilities, and we hope that the transformations will create even more opportunities for locals of all ages, backgrounds and abilities to commence or continue their fitness and wellness journey with us.
"We thank our members for their patience during this period of transition and are excited to come together to celebrate the completed projects very soon when we hope the local community will take full advantage of the improved facilities to benefit their physical and mental health."
The gym equipment and studio classes at North Herts Leisure Centre have been relocated to other areas within the centre during the refurbishment.
North Herts Leisure Centre members will also have access to all other Everyone Active centres until August 31.
At Royston Leisure Centre, the gym changing facilities will close during the works, and members will instead be able to use the swimming pool changing facilities.
Meanwhile, at Hitchin Swimming and Fitness Centre, studio classes will be relocated to other areas within the centre.
Cllr Mick Debenham, executive member for environment, leisure and green spaces at North Herts Council, said: "It’s fantastic news that the leisure centres across the district are getting significant upgrades.
"This £1.1 million project shows our dedication to providing top class leisure facilities for our residents.
"The improvements at North Herts Leisure Centre, Royston Leisure Centre, and Hitchin Swimming and Fitness Centre will make these spaces even better for everyone.
"We can’t wait to share the new and improved facilities with you and invite everyone to join us for the celebration events once the work is done."
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