Robert Simpson joined Cheadle youngsters for the launch

Hall helps children hit a sporting high

A fantastic new facility that will help around 3,000 Moorlands children hit a sporting high has been officially opened.

Staffordshire County Council secured a £1m lottery grant for the new sports hall at Cheadle High School. The council also invested £321,970 from its own budget towards the project.

The new sports hall will be a real boost to the area as it will serve some of the most isolated rural wards in the Staffordshire Moorlands. It will provide a state-of-the-art, modern sports facility for students from Cheadle High School and Painsley Catholic College as well as local primary schools and the Moorlands Sixth Form Centre.

Karen Castrey, Associate Headteacher at Cheadle High School, said: "We are delighted to have this fantastic new sports facility for the people of Cheadle and the Moorlands. Physical exercise is more important than ever in today's world and the centre will promote a healthy lifestyle for both our pupils and parents and the wider community."

County Councillor, Robert Simpson, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Children and Lifelong Learning said: "The Sports Hall for Cheadle Schools is a great example of partnership working and I would like to congratulate all those involved in the project."

John Taylor, the Big Lottery Fund's Head of Region for West Midlands, said: "This investment of over one million pounds of Lottery money has provided an excellent new four-court sports hall not only for the young people in Cheadle, but also for the surrounding community in the Staffordshire Moorlands. It will make a huge difference in driving up participation in physical activity across the local area."

As well as serving the schools, the new sports hall will also give potentially 10,000 members of the wider community access to sport and leisure activities, in particular athletics, badminton, cricket and netball. The centre will allow people to access sports and exercise both on a recreational level and a competitive level. The centre will also be used for coaching and leadership activities supported by local clubs.

Councillor Simpson added: "This fantastic facility will enhance existing leisure facilities for Cheadle and for surrounding areas. It means a large number of people will be able to access a wide range of sports and leisure activities, in a welcoming, modern facility."

Page Last Modified: 28/04/2008 08:54:10

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