Coronation Street star to help launch Chesterfield’s Queen’s Park Sports Centre

The Chesterfield Borough Council-run centre will launch on Tuesday, January 5, and will be open from 6.30am Monday to Friday and from 8am on Saturday and Sunday.

The official opening will take place on Thursday, January 7, ahead of a community open day on Saturday, January 9, which will feature Coronation Street star Kym Marsh, who plays Michelle McDonald in the popular ITV soap.

Kym will lead a fitness class and meet fans from 10am to 1.30pm before having lunch with some competition winners.

Facilities at the new centre will include an eight-lane main swimming pool, eight sports courts, a gym and a cafe.

The £11.25million project is being paid for by £6.725m from the borough council, £2.5m from the town’s college, £2m from Sport England’s Strategic Facilities Fund and £25,000 from Squash England.

Councillor Amanda Serjeant, the borough council’s cabinet member for town centre and visitor economy, said: “I am proud that we have made this investment in a new state-of-the-art sports centre at a time when many authorities are having to make difficult decisions about reducing funding for leisure activities or closing facilities.

“Investment in the health and well-being of residents is a priority for the council because national statistics show the number of people in Chesterfield living healthy and active lifestyles is significantly below the national average.

“Having a brand new town centre sports centre will help us to encourage people of all ages and abilities to take part in sports activities but also to take advantage of the associated facilities, such as the services being provided at the midwifery base.”

Stuart Cutforth, Chesterfield College principal, said: “We’re delighted that we could invest in this exciting modern health and leisure facility. The partnership approach benefits both local residents and students.

“Our Sport and Wellbeing Academy located in the sports centre means that we can ensure students are able to train in the best facilities.

“It is wonderful to know that students will be getting this experience in a fully functioning public facility.

“We are training the next generation of sports and leisure experts who will be the ones providing services for local residents in the future.”

Charles Johnston, Sport England’s property director, said: “Having the right sports facilities in the right areas are fundamental in offering more people to take part in sport and leisure activities.

“This is why we have invested National Lottery money in the new Queen’s Park Sports Centre to provide outstanding facilities which will encourage more people to take up sport and ensure they receive a quality experience”

Mark Williams, director of participation at England Squash, added: “At England Squash, we are really looking forward to working closely with the borough council to make sure the fantastic new courts are well used.

“It is an exciting time for sport in the town and we are delighted that squash is part of the new Queen’s Park Sports Centre”.