OLYMPIC gold medallist Rebecca Adlington is set to return to Stratford.
The retired swimmer will back in town next weekend to officially open Stratford Leisure Centre following its £5million refurbishment.
As part of the revamp, some of the district council-owned building has been upgraded for the first time in more than three decades.
Two new swimming pools have been created, a changing facility and a new sauna and steam room installed, the sports hall and other facilities revamped while a £289,000 climbing wall has been built at the Bridgefoot centre.
And to celebrate the end of the project, Everyone Active, which manages the centre on behalf of Stratford District Council, will be holding a free open day next Saturday (October 3) from 9am to 5pm.
Becky Adlington will be available to sign autographs from 11.30am to 3.30pm and will also deliver a motivational speech at noon.
It is the second time the double gold medallist has visited the centre after she opened the temporary pool provided as part of the British Gas ‘Pools for Schools Programme’ earlier this year.
Water polo player, Rosie Morris, who competed at the London Olympics in 2012, and Zoe Reeve – a former member of the GB Synchro Squad – will also be at the open day, which will be hosted by former Olympic swimmer Steve Parry.
From 1pm to 3.30pm children will be able to try out a number of activities in the pools including water polo, fast swimming and synchronised swimming before having the chance to race the athletes.
Visitors will also be able to get to grips with the centre’s new climbing walls for the first time and there will be a host of other free activities on offer including group exercise classes, face painting, colouring competitions and Active Ants sessions.
Throughout the day visitors can take part in a series of fitness challenges – including a triathlon challenge to help raise money for blood cancer charity, Anthony Nolan.
The centre’s teaching pool will also have family swim activities taking place during the afternoon while two ‘Wet n Wild’ swim sessions are set to take place from 3pm to 4pm and from 4pm to 5pm.
Gareth Wagg, Everyone Active’s general manager, said: “This is a very special occasion for Everyone Active and Stratford District Council and we are very excited the refurbishment has come to an end.
“We’re delighted to have Rebecca Adlington to join in the celebrations, along with the other inspirational athletes and wirh something for everyone on the day, it’s a great opportunity for youngsters to learn from the athletes and try something new.”
Visit www.everyoneactive.com/centre/stratford-leisure-centre for further information or call 01789 268826 to book onto the swim activities.
