Yoga, aerobics and boxercise are on the agenda at a sports centre which has finally reopened after five years. Kidsgrove Sports Centre opened its doors to the public this morning (25th July) for the first time since 2017 following a 7.5 million refurbishment.

And the Fourth Avenue facility is already proving popular with visitors who queued up bright and early on its first day of opening. Mark Clews, chairman of Kidsgrove Sports Centre Community Group, which runs the centre, said: "After five long years it's amazing to see the facility back open.

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"A lot of people believed this wouldn't happen but this goes to show that anything is possible with a bit of perseverance and hard work." Mark added: "Our first day has been really positive. It's been fantastic to see so many people coming through the doors. We had a queue of people at 7am this morning.

"Everybody is happy to see the building open again and they can't believe the difference. We wanted to make it as accessible as possible to as many people as possible."

The new-look sports centre boasts a six-lane swimming pool and a fully-equipped gym, which has 46 fitness stations and Peloton bikes, as well as a spinning studio, a dance studio and a large sports hall which can host badminton, table tennis, indoor cricket, netball and five-a-side football.

There are unisex changing rooms and group changing areas ideal for schools as well as fully accessible changing areas and toilets. The programme of fitness classes includes aerobics, HIIT, pilates, aqua fit, yoga and indoor cycling.

Kidsgrove Sports Centre manager, Phil Ludlow, said: "The difference between the old centre and the new one is quite dramatic. All of the visitors have commented on how different it looks and have told us how happy they are with everything that's been done.

"We have a launched a programme of classes which we will develop over the coming months based on feedback from our members. It's up to the community to decide what they want to see here."

Phil now hopes to entice gym-goers who have been forced to use alternative facilities in Biddulph, Alsager and Tunstall back to Kidsgrove.

He added: "Our main aim now is to bring those people who used to come to Kidsgrove Sports Centre before it closed back to the town. I used to work at Biddulph Valley Leisure Centre and I have already seen a few familiar faces at Kidsgrove, so that is a good sign."

Friends Sharon Hulme and Paul Camm were among the first people to use the new-look Kidsgrove Sports Centre. Fifty three-year-old Sharon, who lives in the town, said: "I used to come to Kidsgrove many years ago before it closed. This is my old stomping ground, so it's lovely to be back.

"I used to go to Everlast Gym in Tunstall five times a week but I'll be coming here now. I've signed up to be a member and I'm really happy with the price. I will mix it up and use the gym, the swimming pool and all the classes."

Fellow Kidsgrove resident Paul, aged 63, has also moved over from Tunstall.

Paul, who attends the gym about four times a week, added: "I'm really impressed with the gym, everything is brand new. I'll definitely use the swimming pool and I've got my eye on one of the yoga classes too. It's all included in the membership."

At the moment, Kidsgrove Sports Centre is open between 7am and 9pm Monday to Friday and between 8am and 4pm on weekends. For more information visit the website.

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Yoga, aerobics and boxercise on the agenda as Kidsgrove Sports Centre reopens after five years - Stoke-on-Trent Live