Waterside Farm revamp is hit with residents

The new-look leisure centre, in Somnes Avenue, was reopened to the public last Friday after undergoing a 15-month transformation to breathe a new lease of life into the Seventies-built facility.

Enthusiastic visitors have praised the refurbishment, saying it is barely recognisable from the beleaguered building which closed its doors last May.

Abdul Moudud, 26, of Hall Farm Road, Benfleet, said: “It is so much better now it has been renovated.

“There are a lot more machines in the gym now, so you don’t have to wait as long, which is great because after about 4pm it gets so busy”

The state-of-the-art centre now boasts a newly refurbished reception area and coffee bar, remodelled swimming pools complete with a new roof, a new “changing village” with a sauna and steam room, as well as a new conference space.

Ian Golding, 60, from Canvey, has been coming to the leisure centre for seven years to improve his health after suffering a heart attack.

He said: “It’s absolutely brilliant. The changes to the swimming pool in particular really have made such a difference, as it was looking so grubby and rundown.

“Coming here has really helped my recovery and I’ve lost two-and-a-half stone, so I’d recommend it to anyone.”

Steven Taylor, 17, of Harvest Road, Canvey, said: “I used to come here with my mates and when I was a kid I use to go swimming and you can definitely see there has been a big improvement.

“It’s more spacious, more modern, and there’s more equipment, so you don’t have to queue to use the machines. I’m definitely going to keep coming.

Fitness instructor Lewis Holman claims staff have had to hold gym inductions every hour to keep up with demand from newmembers seeking to join.

He said: “ It’s ten times better than before. We’ve seen a big increase in the number of people coming. We’re having inductions every hour now, with ten a day because we’re so busy. Before we were lucky to have one a day.”