Building work begins on new £1.4m gym

Work has started on the new £1.4m gym at the sports hub at Aylsham High School.

Visitors will see excavation work going on between the 3G pitch and the car park, with completion expected early next summer.

PROGRESS: The diggers herald the start of work at the new gym site. Picture: AYLSHAM HIGH SCHOOL

“We are extremely excited to have this project under way. It has been a long journey to get to this point,” said Jo Tuttle, Director of Business and Community Strategy at the school.

“We have seen the refurbished pool and full-size 3G pitch come to fruition over the last five years but this is the most exciting project yet, which will provide a 40-station gym, class space and changing facilities for the Aylsham community. We are very grateful to the Greater Norwich Growth Board for their generous £400,000 donation.”

The school and sports hub team are currently consulting with a specialised gym planning company to advise on the best use of the available space, but would also love to hear suggestions from Aylsham residents.

This is the third stage of development with the next stage being a community café and related changing facilities for the 3G pitch.

The gym will cater for all ages and abilities with reasonably priced membership options as well as pay-as-you-go passes. The gym will be open primarily for community use alongside the existing facilities, including a swimming pool, 3G pitch and sports hall. Small group exercise classes will be held at the new building to complement the classes already offered.

The ultimate aim is to provide the community with a health and well-being centre to include a variety of services such as physiotherapy and nutrition.
In order to complete the funding and start building, additional funding has been secured through a loan. The team would like to reduce the loan amount as much as possible and anyone who wants to help or wishes to sponsor any areas of the build is invited to contact Jo Tuttle at Aylsham High School.

VISION: An image of how the new gym will look. Picture: CHAPLIN FARRANT

The gym will be operated by Aylsham Learning Federation and as with Aylsham Sports Hub currently, will remain non-profit making, with all surplus income reinvested into the facilities and the children at schools in the town and surrounding communities.