WORK is forging ahead on eagerly awaited improvements to the Greig Centre.

The £1.2 million refurbishment started in October and centre manager Stacy Robinson told the Chronicle the work was progressing quickly.

He said three major areas of work were taking place, contributing to an overall revamp of the whole site.

Phase One, a six-month build of an extension to the sports hall, was hoped to be finished by April 7 and then Phase Two will start, including refurbishment of the existing sports hall to provide new changing facilities and multi-purpose rooms.

Mr Robinson said the complete site would be handed over on July 13 and when the work was finished, the Greig would also boast a large seated area, creche, and a children's play area.

He reminded residents that during the project, funded by Stratford District Council, Alcester Town Council, the Big Lottery Fund, and the Greig itself, the fitness suite would not shut at any point.

"The gym will remain open during Phase One and when the work moves onto Phase Two, the new fitness suite will be up and running so anyone thinking of joining should not be put off," he said.

The new gym will house 38 stations equipped with top-of-the-range Technogym machines, as well as a cardio theatre, consultation room and trained fitness instructors on hand.

"And because of the crche, members can use the facility and train at the same time," said Mr Robinson.

"We're also having an extra 30 car park spaces and that will be done by February."

He added they were offering discounted membership in January and existing members could buy 12 months for the price of 10.

"So it's better to be an existing member than waiting and joining as a new member but we are also offering the first 100 new members that same deal as well," said Mr Robinson.

The project also includes improvements to the Greig Memorial Hall and Mr Robinson said they had worked hard to raise the cash, making £1,000 at a benefit night and also getting money from the first night of the new Cuckoo Club run by John Evans.

"We've also had some donations, and want to thank Jewson, Marla Tubing, Three Counties Insurance, Landsdon Flooring, and Warwickshire rural community council - we want to thank everybody who has done a little bit to the total development. Without their help we couldn't do it."

He said work to the hall's kitchen would be finished by Christmas and improvements to the toilet facilities were set to be completed by January.

And to top off the work, Mr Robinson said they were landscaping the riverbank behind the centre, using a £24,000 grant from Living Space.

"We're going to open it up as an area of nature and natural beauty for community use with fishing spots, a walk along the river bank and points where young families can feed the ducks," he said.

"Overall, there's three big chunks of work and it's all happening right now."