VISITORS to Stokewood Leisure Centre will notice a package of improvements including a gym twice the size it was before.

BH Live, the not-for-profit organisation which runs the town’s leisure centres, worked with Bournemouth Borough Council to devise a plan for improving the centre and helping people get more active.

A new floor has been built, more than doubling the size of the gym and creating more space for new equipment. BH Live has also introduced a new QUAD fitness zone.

BH Live says it will be able to offer a wider range of activities to encourage inactive people – especially the young and those with health conditions – to get more active.

There is also a new health assessment zone where customers can get a health ‘MOT’ including blood pressure checks, body fat measurements and weight reviews to help set goals, build a personalised activity programme and track progress.

BH Live chief executive said: “The improved space and new facilities at Stokewood are fantastic and it’s very encouraging to see so many people already using them.

“In partnership with the council, we are continuing to increase the quality of public facilities and meet the expectations and needs of our community; encouraging more people to be more active and enjoy the social, health and wellbeing benefits.”

The new space has environmentally friendly LED lighting, insulation and climate control. There is also an outdoor seating area, while original features including a stained glass window and grand central staircase have been kept.