The Devon and Exeter Squash and Racketball Club has undergone a £10,000 refurbishment project which has seen it become the first club in the country to reconvert its gym into squash courts following an increase in the demand for court facilities.

First opened in 1977, the club was forced to convert one of its six courts into a gym in 2000 due to a fall in demand, but the growing popularity of both squash and racketball has resulted in that decision being reversed. According to Matt Baker, England Squash's south west area manager, racketball has been responsible for re-engaging a large number of members who had previously lapsed, and in the past year the club has also acquired 60 new members.

Baker said: "People were using the gym, but there were too many people who wanted to use the court facilities. The off-peak usage was superb. "Racketball acts as a basic vehicle for fitness. Where squash is at the competitive end of the spectrum, racketball is aerobic activity rather than anaerobic."

Adam Lings, proprietor and general manager of the Devon and Exeter Squash and Racketball Club, also revealed that the site has already got planning permission for further extension although he admitted that it isn't likely to be considered in the short-term. However, the club remains in a healthy position despite the economic downturn, with good retention rates, particularly among older members. Lings said: "There's no sign of a downturn in business at all. If anything, business is going up, helped by the club's other facilities, such as bar sales."

Baker added: "The club is on the way up, and is bucking the trend. It is great for the club and for England Squash." Baker also revealed that England Squash is currently involved with a co-ordinated attempt led by the World Squash Federation to introduce squash at the 2016 Olympic Games.