A DALE school has ambitious plans to convert an unused classroom into a community gym.
A proposal to create a community fitness suite at Staindrop Academy was announced by head of PE Chris Hughes during the village’s last parish council meeting. He told the council the development could cost about £36,000.
Mr Hughes added: “We have a large classroom that is not being used and won’t be used going forward. For it to go to waste would be useless. For us as a school, and the community, to have a facility such as a gym would be very beneficial.
“I am here for community support on this.”
He added that Teesdale Action Partnership and Durham County Council supported the idea and a survey, which was held a few years ago when a mobile gym visited the school, showed that there was a need for the facility.
Mr Hughes said: “I have spoken to [sports development officer] George Richardson from County Durham and I had a very positive meeting with him.
“He feels as though there is a need in this area for such a facility.
He added: “We have to go to a lot of different pots and grants to have a gym created there.
“Initially – we have been getting a quote over half-term – they think £30,000 for all the gym equipment and the actual gym itself.
“With costs of other things we need on site, we think £5,000 or £6,000. Once it is up and running it will generate income and the sustainability would be absolutely fine.”
Mr Hughes said the gym would be run by volunteers, who in turn, would have free access to the gym.
All volunteers would be trained in the use of the equipment and basic first aid, he said.
Mr Hughes added: “Teesdale Action Partnership has already said it will invest and send coaches down and staff down to put sessions on for people in the gym.”
If successful, the gym would be run independently of the school and any cash raised from membership fees would be put back into the facility, he said.
Cllr Ed Chicken recommended the school put together a board of trustees for the development as soon as possible because he said a properly constituted body with a bank account was needed before applications can be made for grants.
Mr Hughes said he would keep the council informed of progress.
