WORK is due to begin on a £430k project to improve facilities at a leisure centre aimed to encourage more Dorset residents to get fitter.

BH Live has revealed it will transform its BH Live Active, Queen’s Park centre to inspire more people to take part in physical activity.

Plans include improving the layout and flooring as well as new Life Fitness equipment including resistance and cardio machines, free weights, a functional rig and lifting platform.

There will be a shake-up of its group exercise programme, gearing towards the latest industry trends.

Customers will also be able to maximise their training through trackable technology.

The improved space will enable more health referral programmes to run including cancer survivorship and activities for younger people.

The café will also be refurbished with new lighting and energy-saving initiatives across the venue to help reduce CO2 emissions by more than half over the next five years.

Mike Lyons, director for sport and leisure, said: “This investment will create better public health and fitness facilities for the local community and enable us to broaden our activity programme.

“This supports our mission to encourage more people to enjoy a more active lifestyle and experience the health benefits that this brings.”

Work will begin in October and is expected to be complete by the New Year.

It will be carried out in phases to minimise disruption and the venue will remain open.

Customers will be advised of the renovation programme and they can also use the facilities at neighbouring venues including Littledown, Stokewood, Sir David English and Pelhams.

In January 2016 BH Live, acquired the lease to operate the former Fitness First club as part of its health and wellbeing expansion strategy across the south of England.