WORK has started on the next phase of a leisure centre development.

A new reception and seating area is being created at the Impulse Leisure Belhus Park Golf and Country Club,

Belhus Park, South Ockendon.

The centre’s reception area will be completely remodelled to provide a modern and open plan space, the seating with vending machines will be improved to create a more pleasant area for visitors.

The work is part of an £800,000 redevelopment of the centre.

Parents will be able to relax in a new viewing area in comfort from where they can watch their children swimming in pool.

The work is being funded by Impulse Leisure, which provides leisure and recreation facilities for the community.

The organisation is a charitable organisation, and all profits are reinvested back into its facilities.

This next phase of redevelopment follows Impulse Leisure’s £400,000 investment earlier this year to extend the gym to offer the latest cardiovascular and resistance equipment as well as a free weights area, cables, benches and dumbbells.

Members at the centre can now watch TV, use Bluetooth, Skype and the Internet while working out. The exercise studio and changing facilities were refurbished as part of the project and a new disabled changing room and toilet was also created.

Juan Rangel, centre manager said: "We’re very excited about the developments taking place at Belhus Park.

"It’s a great club for all the family and this latest round of investment will give members a real sense of luxury from the moment they step through the doors.

"This is a new chapter for Belhus Park.”

The work is due to be completed by January 2017. The centre will remain open while the work is taking place with all facilities running as usual.

A temporary entrance will be used in operation while the new reception area is under construction.

The Thurrrock Gazette reported in March, this year, how the fitness centre officially re-launched following part of the redevelopment work.

Fully air-conditioned, the new-look, open plan gym increased from 38 to 65 workout stations to cater for growing demand with an extended free weights area and a wider selection of cables, benches and dumbbells supplied by Technogym.