Ashton Sixth Form College unveils new Sport Building and Strength and Conditioning Suite
Ashton Sixth Form College has unveiled a major new development on its campus, providing new learning, sporting and wellbeing facilities for students, staff and the wider community.
The New Sport Building and Strength and Conditioning Suite brings together a range of new facilities designed to support learning, physical activity and wellbeing across the college.
The development includes new classrooms for the English and Sport & Public Services departments, providing modern teaching spaces for students across both curriculum areas. The building also features brand-new changing rooms and a new Strength and Conditioning Suite, equipped with specialist equipment that can be used by students, staff and members of the wider community.
The new suite provides students with an additional space to develop their sporting abilities and maintain an active lifestyle, while also creating opportunities for staff and members of the community to make use of the facilities.
The development represents a significant addition to the college campus, creating spaces that support students' education alongside their wider health and wellbeing.
Jo Heard-Jones, CEO of Stamford Park Trust, said:
“What an absolute privilege it was to welcome Sir Kevin to open our new facilities at ASFC, especially symbiotic given his commitment to transforming the lives of the MND family by rallying communities in order to change the lives of others. If our facilities take one step in the same direction, by providing new opportunities for our students and community to positively influence their lives and futures, we would be thrilled. By investing in our ASFC environment we continue to invest in our locality.”
The new facilities were officially opened on Thursday 17 September, with rugby league legend Sir Kevin Sinfield attending as Guest of Honour. Sir Kevin officially opened the building with a ribbon cutting and unveiling of the commemorative plaque.
Sir Kevin has a special connection to Ashton Sixth Form College, with both of his sons, Jack and Sam Sinfield, having studied at the college.
The opening was also attended by The Worshipful Civic Mayor of Tameside, Councillor Helen Bowden and her Consort, Leslie Bowden, alongside representatives from Buildzone, the contractors behind the development.
As part of the launch, guests had the opportunity to meet students and staff, including members of the English and Sport & Public Services Department and Ashton Elite Athletes, as well as explore the new facilities.
Sheridan Lewis, Vice Principal of Curriculum and Planning commented:
“It was a real pleasure to officially open our new sport building and strength and conditioning gym alongside Sir Kevin Sinfield. This has been a project we’ve been working towards for many years, so to finally see the gym open and our students and staff making use of it is incredibly rewarding.
We’re proud to have created a space that can support people at all levels, whether they’re training to compete at county or national level or simply looking to improve their fitness and wellbeing. Most importantly, we hope the new facilities will become a valuable part of both college life and the wider community for many years to come.”
The college would like to thank Buildzone for their work on the development, with particular thanks to Mark Storrie, Director of SPT Sport, for his support throughout the project.
The New Sport Building and Strength and Conditioning Suite will provide a lasting addition to the college campus, supporting teaching and learning while creating new opportunities for sport, fitness and wellbeing for students, staff and the wider Ashton community.
