HORWICH Leisure Centre has unveiled a £170,000 makeover to its gym.

The gym, based inside the leisure centre in Victoria Road has now re-opened after a two week closure to allow the upgrade to take place.

The facility now boasts improved equipment as well as new lighting, flooring and decoration.

There is also a larger free weights area and new machines including a 360T multi-gym and alternative cross-trainers.

The work has been organised and funded by Bolton Community Trust which is in charge of a number of facilities around the borough and follows similar improvement work at centres in Westhoughton, Sharples and Farnworth.

Sally Kurton, partnerships manager at the trust said that against a backdrop of forced efficiency savings, the onus has been on investing to improve existing sites.

She said: “There is a lot of competition around so it is really important that we compete and that is why we have invested heavily in these areas.

“We are very excited with the improvements we have made to the gym and all the feedback we have had from people so far has been extremely positive.

“The gym was a little tired and needed some TLC and we spent a lot of time listening to what people wanted and we are delighted with the results.”

The gym is also currently offering a discounted membership of £19.99 in a bid to attract more users and there will be an official launch day on January 10 when anyone is invited to try out the new equipment for free.

Centre manager Steve Moss said he was proud to have a product that his team can really sell.

He added: “I think for the price of a membership and with the new gym facilities it is an amazing offer and people would be crazy not to sign up.”

Gym instructor Pat Cornes added: “I just think it is fantastic, all our users have been telling me how much they like the new gym.

“The new equipment is great too because it gives people something new to do.”