Shrewsbury College takes on London Road Sports Centre
Shrewsbury College has taken over full control of London Road Sports Centre, which is situated on its College site in Shrewsbury.
The move, which officially began on October 1, means that the centre is now College operated at all times throughout the year, in addition to during term-time and College hours.
It’s an exciting move which will see increased opportunities for students at the College to take part in work experience, work placement and employment opportunities within the centre.
In addition, The Mosaic Leisure Group, which owns the nearby Shrewsbury Club and Imagine Spa and manages a portfolio of leisure facilities nationally, has been taken on as management consultants of the site. The company hopes to offer national work opportunities across its portfolio to help students progress in their careers.
Steve Wain, Principal of the College, said: “We are very pleased to have taken on the running of this fantastic facility and have big plans for its future. The sports centre, which features a large and small sports hall, changing facilities and a gym, along with our associated on-site sports facilities, including sports pitches, running and athletics tracks and our new 3G sports pitch, which officially opens next month, mean we now offer first class sports facilities with free parking. This will not only benefit our sports students and many community groups who do and can hire all of the facilities, but it will also mean extensive work experience and employment opportunities across a range of curriculum areas through our partnership with Mosaic.”
From November 1, the College will be increasing the opening hours and providing a wider range of activities to students, staff and the community.
Dave Courteen and Steve Taylor, directors of The Mosaic Group, met whilst studying business and leisure qualifications at College. Mr Courteen said: “We realised we both shared a passion for having our own business and for working in a customer facing environment.
“When we completed our studies the opportunity arose to develop a gym within a hotel that would appeal to both local members and hotel guests alike and Fitness Express was born. The business has grown from there and we now operate a national portfolio.
“We are delighted to be involved with Shrewsbury College and excited about the opportunities on offer for students across many subject areas including business, public services, hospitality and sport. We started our career through education and are delighted to be able to help other students do the same. This partnership could lead to national work opportunities for students and help set them up for future their careers.”
Councillor Gwilym Butler, Cabinet Member for Culture and Leisure services at Shropshire Council, which previously jointly operated the Centre with the College, said: “With the centre being on-site at the College, it makes sense for people to have one point of contact and everything can now be booked through the College. We feel the students and the wider community will be able to benefit greatly from the new arrangement.”
