A gym will be shut for two weeks while a £200,000 upgrade takes place.

The White Oak Leisure Centre in Swanley will be undergoing a transformation just two-and-a-half years after its grand opening.

Everyone Active, which manages the facility in partnership with Sevenoaks council, is funding the project and says it’s in response to a significant 58 per cent membership surge since February 2022.

The old centre, which was built in the 1960s, was deemed to be coming to the end of its life and too expensive to run.

Instead, a brand new £20m replacement was built next door.

At the time, the plans sparked backlash from scores of residents due to the centre offering less facilities and certain sports groups being forced to relocate.

However, the new complex opened in February 2022 in what was heralded as the largest public investment for Swanley in more than 30 years.

It featured a 25m six-lane swimming pool, 100-station gym and fitness suite, two exercise studios, cycling studio and a sports hall.

Now, Everyone Active will be upgrading the facilities at the site in response to demand.

It will be doubling its number of Olympic squat racks, increasing from two to four, and other new equipment will be added such as a plate-loaded glute drive, standing calf raise, bicep curl, and tricep extension machines.

An enhanced functional area featuring a Life Fitness rig with two half racks, wall ball targets and a battle rope, will be added.

A Ski Erg, a piece of workout equipment that works the arms, legs and core, is also being installed.

Everyone Active will also be installing a dedicated relaxation zone for stretching complete with theraguns to target the need for post-workout recovery.

Other improvements including fresh paint, improved lighting, additional mirrors and feature walls, and new protective flooring will be installed in the weight training area at the site.

From September 1, the leisure centre will be offering 75 group exercise classes, increasing from the previous 45 on offer.

The gym will be closed from Thursday, August 15 until Saturday, August 31 while the renovations take place.

During the closure, members are able to go to the Sevenoaks Leisure Centre and Edenbridge Leisure Centre.

On the weekend of August 31, PT taster sessions and free guest passes will be available for the new gym, while TAG Active and soft play will be half price.

Free activities for children will also be taking place including balloon modelling, face painting and a football skills session with TikTok freestyle footballer Jamie Knight, the official mascot of the Euros 2020.

Area contract manager at Everyone Active Hasan Romel said: “We’re thrilled that the upgrade project at White Oak Leisure Centre will be underway very soon.

“The surge in membership we’ve experienced is a testament to how popular our facility has become within the community.

“This investment ensures we can meet the growing needs of our members by providing first class equipment and a state-of-the-art workout environment.

“We look forward to welcoming everyone to experience these exciting new improvements.”