HUNTINGDON Gymnastics Club has received another grant – ensuring the quality of its facilities for generations to come.
Hot on the heels of The Hunts Post launching a major campaign to help raise £100,000 to build a much-needed new hall, Sport England has awarded the Mayfield Road club almost £50,000 in National Lottery funding.
Despite turning out world-class athletes including Louis Smith and Daniel Keatings, the club has, in the past, failed to attract enough money to improve its premises.
The Olympic legacy’s £49,150 from Sport England’s Inspired Facilities Fund will help to pay for a refurbishment of the toilets and changing rooms, the installation of lockers and showers, and improvements to heating.
Tracy Crosland, chairman of the club’s trustees, said: “We are delighted to have secured this investment, which means that we can upgrade the quality of our existing premises to match the quality of our coaches and our programmes of activity.”
She said the money, combined with support from Huntingdon Town Council and the recently-launched £100,000 fundraising campaign, would enable the club to extend its programmes to cater for more people from the local community.
Olympic medallist Louis Smith, who has been a member of the gym since childhood, said: “I owe so much of my success to this club so I’m thrilled to hear they’re receiving Lottery funding.
“These improvements will help the club do even more for gymnasts and I know they have big plans for the future.”
Sport England chairman Richard Lewis said: “This National Lottery investment will create a lasting sporting legacy for Huntingdon.”
n The Hunts Post has teamed up with Huntingdon Gymnastics Club to organise the Huntingdon Gym Safari – an exciting trail around the gym designed for under-fives.
Children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian at the event, which is free to enter subject to each youngster raising £10 or more.
The safari will take place on Sunday, March 3, from 10-11.30am. Sponsorship forms are available from The Hunts Post by e-mailing news@huntspost.co.uk
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