Gym receives total overhaul (From Witney Gazette)

Gym receives total overhaul

2:59pm Monday 8th January 2007 in Witney By Rosalind Miles

A WITNEY gym has been given a complete overhaul.

The Mill Health and Fitness Suite has undergone a refurbishment as part of a joint initiative by West Oxfordshire District Council and Wycombe Leisure, which manages the centre on behalf of the council.

The gym has been repainted and redecorated, and a plinth has been removed to make the ground floor one level. The existing stairs have been moved to create extra space, and new lighting, new carpets and a new ceiling have been installed.

Tony Walker, cabinet member for leisure and tourism, said: "The council is delighted to be working with Wycombe Leisure to improve the Mill Health and Fitness Suite at the Windrush Leisure Centre.

"As well as providing a much better environment for people to work out, the second phase of the improvement works will see the latest equipment being installed for the benefit of all users."

A temporary gym was set up while building work took place before Christmas.

All of the gym's resistance and cardiovascular equipment is also due to be replaced in April, and the centre's male and female dry changing rooms will be refurbished this year.

Carey James, contract manager of Wycombe Leisure, said: "Wycombe Leisure is keen to continue its programme of refurbishment at not just the Windrush Leisure Centre, but all the district council's leisure facilities.

"This work at the Windrush is a major improvement on existing facilities, and has really helped modernise the centre. Staff and customers are very excited."

The refurbishment follows a major project at the Windrush Leisure Centre to create new swimming pool changing rooms and a new reception area, which opened in August.

The centre's car park was also re-surfaced and traffic calming measures installed, along with the introduction of a one-way traffic system.