14/09/2011 - Permalink

Fun-packed event to mark opening of new leisure centre in Oswestry

Related topics: Community / Leisure, culture and heritage
The dance studio at the new Oswestry Leisure Centre

The dance studio at the new Oswestry Leisure Centre

A fun-packed event will mark the opening of the Oswestry Leisure Centre, a state-of-the-art leisure facility currently being built on Shrewsbury Road in Oswestry.

The new facility will open on Saturday 1 October 2011 and will replace the existing 1970s building, which is becoming increasingly expensive to maintain.

Once complete, it will boast two swimming pools (a 25m competitive pool and a learner pool), a sports hall, fitness suite, activities studio and multi-function room.

The celebrations will take place from 10am until 4pm, with a ribbon being cut to declare the building officially open at 12.30pm.

A number of free activities will be taking place throughout the day, including taster sessions in cricket, badminton, paddle sports and dance.  Also, there will be art play, face painting and soft play equipment for children, exhibition space and art performances.

There will also be a market place, where local clubs and groups will have the opportunity to have a display where they can advertise their organisation and recruit new members.

Councillor Steve Charmley, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for active and healthy lifestyles, said:

“I’d like to encourage as many people as possible to come along to see first-hand what this state-of-the-art centre has to offer. This is a huge step forward for leisure provision in the Oswestry area.

“This day provides everyone with a great opportunity to get involved in lots of different activities in and out of the pool.  All of these activities are free – all you need to do is remember to bring your swimwear!”

Opening the new centre, Keith Barrow, Shropshire Councillor for Oswestry South, said:

“This is a fantastic centre.  This building will enable local people of all ages to learn to swim, get fit and have fun for many years to come.”

Martin Bennett, a Shropshire Councillor for Oswestry East, added:

“It has been a long and sometimes frustrating process, but I am pleased that after so many years of planning and effort, the new leisure centre is finally here.  I am sure that people will be very impressed with the building and facilities.  I hope that people enjoy using the pools, fitness suite, sports court and meeting rooms.”

Local people should watch out for a new Oswestry Leisure Centre leaflet which will be coming through their doors soon to take advantage of some great opening offers, including a chance to win a year’s full membership.

Carrying on the celebrations, swimming will be free from 9am until 5pm on Sunday 2 October.

To enable staff and equipment to be moved over to the new centre, the existing centre will close on Saturday 24 September 2011 – just a week before the new one opens.

To see more photos of the new centre click here.