New sports and leisure facilities unveiled at Phoenix Academy in Telford
[gallery] Children are enjoying state of the art sports and leisure facilities which have opened as part of a £16million development of a Telford school.
The Aspirations whole life health and fitness suite and leisure facilities are at the newly-opened Phoenix Academy site in Dawley and they are available for all Telford residents to use.
The new facilities include a 50-station health and fitness suite, a third-generation artificial rugby and football pitch, a double sports hall including eight badminton courts and feature seating. The school also boasts a national BMX track.
Principal Neil Stonehouse, who has been headteacher since 2004, said: "I am so proud of what has been achieved. My personal drive is my pupils and the community. We have facilities for both our pupils and the wider community."
The academy opened earlier this month to more than 600 pupils and is also the new home of Dawley library, a fully-equipped theatre and dance studio.
The development of the new Phoenix Academy and Sports Centre is part of the wider regeneration of Dawley.
The Fitness Suite is open 7am to 9pm every day, whilst the other sporting facilities are available for community use during evenings and weekends.
The gym features the latest in strength and cardio training equipment provided by leading fitness manufacturer Cybex and the equipment is designed to deliver unparalleled results for first-time exercisers to professional athletes.
Cardio equipment in the new complex has personal TV screens and includes a full line of treadmills and bikes, including the revolutionary Arc Trainer. There is also extensive resistance and free weight equipment including the popular TRX suspension training machine. Councillor Liz Clare, cabinet member for Leisure Services and Culture, said: "The Phoenix is a key part of the council's future leisure offer and it promises to be a fantastic facility for both the school and the community."
A grant of £1.5 million from Sport England has enabled the development of the third generation pitch, national standard BMX track and a double sports hall for both Academy and community use.
This was secured by the Phoenix Academy, Telford & Wrekin Council's leisure services, local clubs and national governing bodies for sport all working together in partnership.
All-inclusive membership for all five Aspirations gyms, plus swimming and exercise classes, is £26 per month.
