Archial Architects has completed a £640,000 refurbishment and gym extension at the University of Essex in Colchester.

The project is part of a larger £1.4m upgrade of the facility.

The new two-storey extension to the sports centre's existing gym marks the completion of the first stage of the University's Strategic Sports Development Plan.

The project has seen a new 130-station fitness suite being installed at the ground floor, while facilities on the first floor now include two refurbished, existing activity studios, three individual offices, a meeting room and an administration area.

Archial Architects was appointed to review the sport and leisure facilities and create a strategic masterplan for the future development of sport and leisure facilities on the campus in 2007.