Following a £600,000 cash injection from Barclays and the Football Foundation, there has been extensive refurbishment to the existing sports hall, changing rooms and dance studio and installation of a new fitness suite. The site, just two miles from the Madejski Stadium, is part of a larger development providing a range of activities for the local community, including football, basketball, volleyball, dance, aerobics, gym-based activities and badminton.
Players Dave Kitson and Greg Halford joined stars from other sports were also at the opening, including England cricketer Darren Gough, former Great Britain rower and Olympic champion Tim Foster and former England rugby union international, Chris Sheasby at the AcademySport Leisure Centre in Whitley, for the opening
With the backing of Reading FC the site is part of a £30million investment from the Barclays Spaces for Sports initiative to create sustainable sports facilities across the UK. The Reading project will receive a further £45,000 from Barclays to ensure the sustainability of the site plus kit and equipment worth £5,000.
Since the announcement of the scheme in September 2004, Barclays Spaces for Sports has opened more than 130 sites and awarded more than 2,900 coaching packs to local communities up and down the country, giving over 360,000 disadvantaged people the opportunity to benefit from sport.
It is the single biggest investment in grassroots sport ever by a company in the UK. With over 130 sites now open and more than 2,900 coaching packs awarded, Barclays Spaces for Sports has given over 360,000 disadvantaged people the opportunity to benefit from sport.Barclays Spaces for Sports is a partnership between Barclays, the Football Foundation and Groundwork.
