Olympian Chris Tomlinson officially opens new £9m Horley Leisure Centre
The new £9m Horley Leisure Centre was officially opened by the Mayor, Cllr Brian Stead and Olympian and British long jump record holder Chris Tomlinson on Wednesday 15 February.
Children from nearby Manorfield School helped to cut the ribbon. Following the opening ceremony, young
basketball players from Reigate Falcons showed off their ball skills in the sports hall and octogenarian swimmer James Green (aged 84), who still competes and teaches at the centre, demonstrated his medal-winning butterfly stroke.
State of the art facilities
Guests were then treated to a tour of the centre’s facilities, which include a 25 metre six-lane swimming pool with ramped access for disabled users, a teaching pool, state-of-the-art fitness gym with 45 exercise stations and free weights, four-court multi-use sports hall and an exercise and dance studio.
It also has separate male, female, family, group and disabled changing areas, reception with viewing gallery, cycle parking and parking for 150 cars, shared with neighbouring Horley Town Football Club.
Helping residents keep healthy and active
Cllr Adam De Save, Executive Member for Healthy Communities, said: “We are pleased that Chris was able to come and help us mark this important occasion in the year of the London 2012 Olympics.
“The Council has invested £9 million in the development of the new Horley Leisure Centre, vastly improving the opportunities for local people of all ages and abilities to keep healthy and active.
"We’ve already had a lot of positive feedback from both new users and members of the old centre, who are as pleased with their new leisure as we are.”
'A' energy rating
The facilities have been designed to be accessible to all and the centre has just achieved an A-rating for energy efficiency, thanks to a whole range of energy saving measures, including a biomass heating system and solar panels.
The new centre, which opened to the public last month, replaces the ageing Horley Anderson Centre, which opened in 1974. Mrs Edna Anderson, the widow of Doug Anderson who was instrumental in raising funds for the old Horley Anderson Centre, was a special guest at the opening ceremony.
Partnership
Horley Leisure Centre is run by GLL, the Council’s leisure management partner.
GLL's Partnership Manager David Hughes said: "GLL is delighted to be further developing our partnership with Reigate & Banstead Borough Council with the opening of Horley Leisure Centre.
"With such great facilities on the doorstep, we hope this will inspire more local people to come in and try some of the fantastic sport and fitness facilities on offer in the run up to the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games."
Free open weekend
The centre is holding an open weekend on Saturday 18 and Sunday 19 February from 10am to 4pm, giving people the chance to see the new facilities and try out some of the activities on offer free of charge.
Taster sessions include group exercise classes, gymnastics, badminton, indoor athletics and gym sessions for 11 to 14 year olds.
Also anyone who signs up for a sports course during the open weekend will get a £5 discount. Come along and see what’s on offer.
Last updated : 20/02/2012
