South Manchester’s Hazel Grove Pools and Target Fitness Centre – which is operated by Stockport Sports Trust (SST) – is to benefit from a £1.4m upgrade this autumn.

The refurbishment – which is being carried out by Dean & Bowes – is the largest project to be carried out at Hazel Grove since it opened in 1969.

A new 80-station fitness suite will be created, which will add to the existing 32-station, oversubscribed gym.

The new suite – which will be equipped with the Technogym Wellness System – is due to open on 3 January 2006, along with a new wet side unisex changing village.

In a second phase of work, the dry side changing rooms and reception will receive a makeover, which will include the addition of automatic doors and a lift, in order to comply with the Disability Discrimination Act.

Hazel Grove’s 25m pool, 10m teaching pool and the existing fitness suite will remain open throughout the refurbishment.

The centre has in excess of 400 members and expects to increase this to around 1,000 members once the new gym opens.

The project is a joint venture between SST and Stockport Council.

SST operates 14 leisure facilities, which include five fitness suites. The trust has agreed an investment plan with the council up to 2011 and expects all its centres to benefit from refurbishments at some point in the next six years. Details: www.sportinstockport.com