SALE Weight Training Club has begun work on a purpose-designed extension to its existing gym in Brooklands, expected to be completed by Easter.

The club, based in Walton Park Sports Centre, is self-financing the £140,000, two-storey development in order to improve user experience.

Club chairman, Ian Waterfield, spoke of the anticipation among the members:

“The extension has been on the horizon for a number of years now, so everyone associated with the gym is understandably delighted to see the project get underway,” he said.

The club are not only hoping to better accommodate their current members, but to improve the facilities to attract new patrons.

“While the design and layout of the extension will not only help better serve our regular members, we are looking to attract a wider audience into the a gym that stands as one of the best facilities of its kind within the North West.”

The designs for the extension were produced by Manchester based architecture:m, and Mr Waterfield spoke about his hopes for the final product.

He said: “In addition to having been instigated to satisfy our own specific requirements, the architectural design adopted will generate a real wow factor for anyone visiting Walton Park once the work has finished.”

Walton Park Sports Centre, which also houses rowing, football and gymnastics clubs, was bought from the council in 2011 as part of Community Asset Transfer.

Since then the Centre has seen a revival thanks to the work of the community of sports clubs.