Strood Sports Centre will be in better shape and look years younger after a major £1.9m facelift, now under way.

The make-over will make the centre more “modern, spacious and inviting”, according to Medway Council, which is funding the 12-month refurbishment project.

The first phase, set to be finished by June, will include a studio for spinning classes and the bar replaced by a new cafe.

The council says the work, which was approved a year ago, forms part of its commitment to help local people get fitter and healthy.

The start of the refurbishment work is well timed for the leisure centre, which was at the centre of a Legionnaires’ scare last month.

Legionella bacteria was found during routine tests in water systems feeding its toilets and showers, although the council said it was not the type that causes Leionnaires’ disease. Nevertheless, one school kept its pupils away.

The refurbishment work will not lead to the closure of the centre at any time and classes and facilities will be relocated to other parts of the building to keep distruption to a minimum.

By the autumn, a new entrance and more refurbished studios will be up and running. A new-look fitness centre is set to open early next year and by Easter, a larger fitness suite and squash courts.

Aerobic sessions, ranging from Zumba to circuit training, boxercise, boot camp and high-intensity training will all be available. There will also be pilates, tai chi and yoga classes.