A HAMPSHIRE gym is set to be transformed as £250,000 upgrade works begin.

But members of Romsey Rapids gym are told to expect a shake up of classes and access as the improvements take place.

It comes as part of an £18m investment package to upgrade sporting facilities across Test Valley.

The Rapids, which celebrated its 25th anniversary two years ago, will get a state-of-the-art new gym and improved changing facilities.

Now the sporting complex has announced the works will start on November 20, with a temporary gym to be set up for members to use.

Fleming Park Leisure Centre, in Eastleigh, will also be available for Romsey members from November 20-26.

The works are expected to be completed by December 9.

As reported, the investments comes from Places for People (PfP), which promised to upgrade the Southampton Road complex just months after taking over as Test Valley Borough Council’s new leisure provider.

Hampshire and Dorset area manager for PfP, Peter Leamore, confirmed up to £16m of this will be used to improve facilities in Andover, with the majority of that cash being spent on building a new leisure centre. The area’s temporary swimming pool opened last month.

The PfP boss has also promised investment in other facilities in the wider Test Valley area, including a new gym at Knightwood Leisure Centre in Chandler’s Ford. This is set to open on November 24.

“At Romsey we will be purchasing £250,000 of new gym kit and looking to improve changing facilities,” said Mr Leamore.

Construction work officially began on the company’s biggest investment, the new Andover Leisure Centre, last week.

Building contractors, Pellikaan, moved onto West Street Car Park and have since started their preparations to demolish part of the old facility.

The specialist Dutch company, responsible for building the majority of PfP’s new leisure centres, is expected to begin tearing down the old swimming pool and sports hall in September.

Following investigation and ground improvement work, construction will then begin on the new centre, which is expected to be completed by spring 2019.

As reported, the new provider took over the post from Valley Leisure on April 1.