MP opens Fitness Suite at
Dearne Valley Leisure Centre


21 January 2008

Caroline Flint joined members of the Dearne Valley Leisure Centre, Lynn & Daniel Mathers to cut the ribbon on the new £150,000 fitness suite. The Don valley MP was joined by Conisbrough & denaby Main councillors Chris Mills and Sandra Holland.

Said Ms Flint: "The new fitness suite is a further improvement to a very successful centre. Almost 1,000 people use this centre every day and the new fitness suite gives yet another reason for people to shake off the winter cold and get active."

Said Cllr Chris Mills: "The Dearne Valley Leisure Centre has proved a really popular attraction for residents of Conisbrough, Denaby Main, Mexborough and the surrounding area. This £150,000 refurbishment of the fitness suite is sign of a centre going from strength to strength."

The Fitness Suite refurbishment is a £150,000 project, paid for
by a combination of surpluses made by the Trust designated for re-investment and the Trusts ability to gain commercial finance as a limited company with charitable status.

In its first five years the leisure centre's customer numbers have risen from 152,000 in 2002 to 326,000 in 2006/7.

The leisure centre was opened in 2002 after £5 million lottery funding and £1 million investment from Doncaster MBC. "Labour's campaign to provide a leisure centre for residents in Conisbrough, Denaby Main and the surrounding area was one of the best decisions this area has seen in the last twenty years," said Cllr Sandra Holland. "The centre is contributing to the health, well-being and enjoyment of families and is well used by schools and the Sure Start Children's Centre."

PICTURES SHOW: Caroline Flint cuts the ribbon, with the centre's two longest standing members, Lynn and Daniel Mathers. Staff and local councillors look on.

L to R Cllr Chris Mills, Caroline Flint MP and Cllr Sandra Holland inspect the state of the art cycles. The cycles and running machines have televisions built into the monitors.