A SPORTS facility in Basingstoke town centre has been shortlisted for a national fitness award.

The Basingstoke Sports Centre, in Festival Palace, has been named a finalist in the National Fitness Awards, in the Leisure Trust Gym of the Year category.

This is the second year in a row the centre, run by the Basingstoke Sports Trust, has been shortlisted for the award.

The facilities at the centre have experienced much investment with the Evolve gym undergoing a full refurbishment in December last year, seeing the installation of the latest cardio, resistance and strength equipment from Pulse Fitness.

This included a brand new bespoke functional rig, interactive CardioWalls, WattBikes and TruForm curved treadmills alongside over 50 pieces of cardio equipment.

Chief executive for the trust, James Starbuck, said: “I’m immensely proud that Basingstoke Sports Centre has been shortlisted as a finalist for the second year in a row. This is clearly attributable to the amazing team of staff throughout the business, the exceptional service we strive to provide our members and recognises the £500,000 upgrade to the Evolve gym last year.

“At a time when our future is threatened by the council’s decision to support an unnecessary and significant leisure development at Basing View, it is particularly pleasing that our contribution to health, wellbeing and physical activity is again being recognised at a national level.”

The next stage in the awards involves a visit to each finalist by a member of the awards team who will take a look around the facilities and talk to members and staff. A report will then be passed on to an expert judging panel.

National Fitness Awards’ event director Judith Halkerston added: “All our shortlisted facilities should be really proud of their achievements in being chosen as a finalist as the calibre of entries has been amazing.