A SWIMMING pool will be turned into a state-of-the-art fitness centre in an £800,000 overhaul.

Castle Point Council wants to add a new exercise suite to Runnymede Pool, in Kiln Road, Thundersley.

The ambitious revamp plans come three years after a similar project at Waterside Farm Leisure Centre, on Canvey.

The council has submitted an application for work to add a health and fitness suite to the Seventies-built pool, along with a brand new car park.

Funding has partly come from the sale of Swans Green Hall, in Hart Road, Thundersley, which brought in £500,000.

Councillors argued the community centre was used at just 20 per cent of its full capacity, making its future unviable.

Colin Riley, leader of Castle Point Council, said he is pleased the authority has moved a step closer to getting the pool revamp project off the ground.

Mr Riley also insisted the public would be fully consulted on the plans, and believes they will save cash for taxpayers.

He said: “We are very excited, and it is a good step forward.

“It costs us around £600,000-a-year to keep the pool open, and soft market tests would suggest we need in the region of around 1,100 members to keep it open.

“Part-funding it with the sale of Swans Green Hall makes financial sense, and we believe this will encourage people to make use of the gym and swimming facilities, as well as saving money for our council tax payers.”

In its application, the council said the extension will be in-keeping with the style of the existing pool.

A spokesman said: “The gym extension has been designed to provide the space and layout required for extra visitors.

“We also aim for visual appearance to match the existing building, bearing in mind the scale, proportions and aesthetics.

“It has been designed to be accessible for visitors with disabilities to be able to enjoy full use of the facilities provided.

“The design will respect the character and appearance of the existing swimming pool building. It has been designed to be accessible to those with disabilities with minimum impact on the environment.

“The proposal will encourage more local residents to keep fit and will therefore benefit the health and wellbeing of the community with all of the firmly established benefits of exercise.”