On Friday, October 1st, I was delighted to go along to Wilmslow High School for the official opening of the 'Olympic Hall', the latest addition to its impressive sporting facilities. Students from the High Schools' netball, hockey, football, badminton, basketball, rugby and cheerleading teams put together an action packed display in front of invited VIPs and guests. They performed skills and drills in an hour long routine with the gathered audience cheering them on.
The Mayor of Cheshire East, Councillor Gordon Baxendale, was joined by former NBA basketball star John Trezvant and Lancashire County Cricket Club coach, Gary Yates in cutting the ribbon at the end on the proceedings to formally mark the official opening.
Invited guests, including many of the schools' sporting and business partners enjoyed a buffet lunch followed by a short address by the High school's Headteacher, Gill Bremner. Mrs Bremner spoke of the school's desire to place sport, physical activity and healthy lifestyles at the heart of its operations and as a school with a specialism in sport and the arts it is important for the students to have the best facilities available. Support for the project came from a combination of Olympic grant funding from the previous government, the school's own savings and from Cheshire East Council.
The building of the 'Olympic Hall' was completed over the summer months with contractors, the Jones Group, finishing the work ahead of schedule. The facilities include a state of the art sports hall with four badminton courts, basketball, volleyball and 5-a-side football courts as well as four indoor cricket nets.
In addition there are 3 changing rooms and a classroom that doubles up as a coach education centre which is used by various sports governing bodies including football, rugby and cricket. The Olympic Hall is also open to the community via the school's letting operation 'High Leisure'.
