A REVAMPED leisure hub in the Port is leading the way in getting back up and running after lockdown finally came to an end.

A £1m investment in Boglestone Activity and Community Centre was proving very popular and the number of people using it was soaring - until Covid-19 hit.

Operators Inverclyde Leisure had set out to offer more local people access to a large low cost gym, soft play and community facilities all under one roof.

Now centre managers hope to build on the momentum that had been built up prior to the pandemic and the disruption it brought.

Fitness fanatics say they are thrilled to be back in action at Boglestone.

Port Glasgow man Stephen O'Hagan, who works for RBS and has been based at home since Covid-19, said: "I just live up the road and it is great to be back.

"I really missed going to the gym and the motivation that comes with it.

"It isn't the same doing it on your own.

"I joined a couple of years ago and I lost two stone.

"It makes all the difference when there is a gym on my doorstep.

"Having the gym back just makes me feel better about everything."

Gym member Hayley Clark, 23, a youth support worker who lives nearby, said: "Through my work I used to go to gyms in Paisley and other places, but now I can walk to Boglestone, it is brilliant."

Fellow customer, Craig Wallace, 27, added: "I work shifts and having the gym local makes all the difference."

Boglestone Activity & Community Centre re-opened its doors in June 2019 after an extensive partnership refurbishment project.

Improvements at the site included the extension of the low cost budget gym using the old derelict café area.

The main hall area was also transformed into a large adventure play area while a cafe was introduced to serve the local community.

With an increase in operating hours and added services, 60 per cent more people used it after the refurbishment.

Prior to lockdown the facility had around 1,500 club members actively using the new service.

Inverclyde Leisure boss David McCorkindale says the leisure facilities, the soft play and the community centre is a winning combination which he and facilities manager Bobby McVitie aim to improve.

He said: "I come from Port Glasgow and I used to come to Boglestone for my lunch.

"It is great to see it at the heart of the community, it has been a huge success."