THOSE looking to lose the extra pounds added over the festive period are soon to have a new state-of-the-art gym at their disposal.

The first stage of the Oasis’ refurbishment is nearing completion, which will see a brand new gym opening where the bowling alleys used to be located.

The final touches are being added to the facility housing more than 100 pieces of gym equipment, several studios for classes and new changing rooms.

It is scheduled to open for public use on January 6 and hopes are high it will herald a new era for the iconic leisure centre.

Manager Ben Whaymand, of GLL, which runs the centre, said: “This is a really exciting time for the Oasis and it is a fantastic new gym.

“We are bringing lots of top of the range equipment that will be available for everyone to use. Much of it has been specially designed so people with disabilities will be able use the gym.

“The gym is a huge improvement on what we currently have and really makes the Oasis a brilliant leisure experience. We’re expecting to have 3,000 members by the end of the year.”

The new gym, which measures 1,156 square metres, represents part of a £3 million overhaul of the Oasis, which will see the reception area, poolside changing rooms and the famous dome given a new look.

“We are hoping to have the reception area fully open by the end of January and that will make a big difference,” said Ben.

“Anyone who has been here over the summer will know the queues stretch outside the door. This will eliminate that problem by creating a lot more space.

“There will also be self service areas so customers who know what they want to do will be able to go through much quicker.”

The panels of the dome are all due to be replaced with a thicker material which will solve the problems of leaking and condensation as well as improving ventilation and the appearance. Although no exact timetable has been set for this to take place, it is hoped to be completed by the end of April, along with new changing rooms.

The lease for the centre, and the surrounding land, is controlled by Moirai Capital Investments, who are hoping in the long term to turn the site into one of the country’s leading leisure venues.

If fully completed it will see a 200-metre indoor ski slope built as well as 5,000 seater concert venue.

Bobby Rach, a project consultant for Moirai, said: “We have been holding regular meetings with the council and everything is progressing as well.

“We hope to have the application in early next year. It is a really exciting project that will firmly put the Oasis and Swindon on the map.”