Sheffield International Venues (SIV) is to introduce ‘private health club’-standard fitness facilities at Concorde Sports Centre as part of its ongoing £1.3m refurbishment plans for the 30-year-old leisure centre.

The gym will be twice the size of the existing Fitness Unlimited facility and spread across two floors.

Further developments at the centre include a new health suite with sauna, steamroom, beauty treatments, nail bar and hair salon; refurbished reception and changing rooms and improved disabled access.

“We already have 1,300 people enjoying Fitness Unlimited at Concord and we want to create the best possible environment for them,” said general manager Ian Hamlet.

“By improving our facilities and creating an extended health and fitness area to complement the swimming pool facilities we already have, I expect our existing members to be delighted with the changes and new members will be encouraged to join.”

Work on the Concord centre is expected to be completed by February 2005. The centre is open throughout the refurbishment, with members able to use the existing equipment, which has been temporarily situated in the sports hall.