WORK has started on a £1.5million makeover for a leisure centre in South Gloucestershire.

Among the improvements that are being made to Longwell Green Leisure Centre are a new fitness studio, additional stations in the fitness suite, a new lobby entrance, and new changing rooms.

The redevelopment of the centre, which is managed by Circadian Trust, is being funded by South Gloucestershire Council, delivered in partnership with Alliance Leisure, with the design and build being carried out by Createability.

Ben Beasley, director of commercial development, said: “Longwell Green Leisure Centre is one of our most popular Active Centres so we are very excited that we are going to be able to both expand the facility and offer a range of new activities.

“The work will result in a significantly improved sports and leisure provision locally, reinvesting in local communities, which is at the core of what we do as a charity.”

Work began last Friday and is expected to be carried out in phases, ahead of completion at the end of this year.

Cllr Heather Goddard, chairman of South Gloucestershire communities Committee, said: “We all need to get moving to stay fit and healthy and that’s why South Gloucestershire is investing in our leisure centres to make sure we have attractive, state-of-the-art facilities to use.

“Longwell Green is already heavily used and we are very pleased to be able to fund these improvements to help it expand even further.

“The families, individuals and sports-club users, as well as the wider community, will benefit from more and improved facilities and although there will be some disruption during the work, the centre will stay open throughout.”