A PE teacher’s two-year dream of establishing a community gym at his school is nearing realisation.
New equipment has already been installed at the gym at Staindrop Academy and only a few final touches need to be completed.
It was more than two years ago that the school’s head of PE, Chris Hughes, attended a Staindrop Parish Council meeting looking for support to convert a disused classroom into a top-notch fitness centre for the use of everyone in the village.
Now with help from Teesdale Action Partnership, four county councillors and the Advanced Learning Trust, which runs the school, it is just weeks away from opening.
Nicola Milne, business manager for the learning trust, said: “All the equipment is in. The volunteers have had their DBS check and first aid training, now they will go through training on the equipment through Durham County Council. Hopefully, we are aiming to open in the next few weeks.”
The gym has already recruited 11 people to help manage the facility and offer advice to those using it – many of whom came through a Couch to 5km fitness scheme run from nearby Scarth Memorial Hall.
Les Blair, who helps co-ordinate the Couch to 5k and has been involved in the establishment of the gym, says there is plenty of interest from people in the village and the surrounding area who are also welcome to use it.
He added: “As I am a keen keep-fitter, to have this facility in the village is fantastic. We are all about having a fitter and healthier village.”
Mr Hughes said most of the equipment is new, with some coming from a community gym in West Auckland which folded. Among the items are ten resistance machines and nine cardio-vascular machines. There is also a free weights area.
A ramp and disabled toilets have been installed. In the coming weeks a big screen TV and water fountain are to be added.
While much of the funds have come from the academy trust, money was also given by county councillors George Richardson, James Rowlandson, Heather Smith and Stephen Hugill.
l Gym organisers have yet to decide what membership fee they will charge to keep the facility maintained but are initially offering free use of the facility so more people can see what it has to offer.
However, donations will be welcome during the free six-month trial period.
The school’s business manager, Nicola Milne, also said the gym will be open for a week before it officially launches so people can have a look around and sign up for sessions.
For more information, contact Ms Milne or Chris Hughes at the school on 01833 660285.
