Special guests gather for official opening of Perse Sports Centre in Cambridge

The brand-new Perse Sports Centre, which features a 25-metre swimming pool and 10.5-metre climbing wall, has been officially opened with a special ceremony.

Dignitaries from companies associated with bringing the sports centre to fruition were joined by current and former staff, who had been involved in the project over the last four years, to celebrate the occasion.

Headteacher Ed Elliott thanked guests for an “amazing facility”, adding that it had brought joy to pupils who had visited to swim, climb, play sports or meet friends.

Mr Elliott said: “You’ve done wonders for the pupils and the community. It will be great for them to benefit from the facility too.

“It’s a huge success and I’m enormously grateful to everyone for the role they’ve played.”

The sports centre opened to the public earlier this month, but has been used by students at The Perse since the start of term.

Bursar Alison Shakespeare echoed Mr Elliott’s sentiments, adding that there was a buzz around the sports centre, with more than 700 visitors looking around during the recent community open event.

She said: “There’s a lot of interest and excitement locally about the new sports facility.

“We are geared up for community use and that will hopefully continue to scale up and grow.”

Steve Kitchen, director of delivery at Willmott Dixon, the construction company behind the sports centre, provided guests with some fascinating facts about the facility, such as the climbing and bouldering walls containing more than 1,500 holds.

He added: “It’s all about the teamwork and collaboration and the hundreds of people who have been involved in this project for the last four years.

“We are extremely proud of what we’ve been able to deliver.”

Martin Lindus, director of Saunders Boston Architects, the Cambridge practice which designed the sports centre, explained the coloured bricks on the exterior of the building signified “motional waves” to highlight the activities on offer inside.

He said: “What a brilliant day to be here to see what everyone has achieved”, adding that he hoped “this is a space that will thrive with the pupils here and the community”.

The main entrance to the sports centre and swimming pool is on Long Road.

Find out more about the centre and book in your visit at sportscentre.perse.co.uk.