Chris’s Story

Back in 2017, Kidsgrove Sports Centre was facing uncertain times. Swimming pool pumps were regularly failing. Sessions were being cancelled. The Centre experienced closures, roof leaks and vandalism. Rumours of a full shutdown were constant.

Sadly, in 2017, the doors did close. This sparked anger among the local community and inspired a campaign to save the Centre. It all began with the Kidsgrove Town Hall meeting and continued with a series of Action Group meetings.

I joined the first Action Group, though I had a nagging fear that the closure was part of a bigger plan. Thankfully, I was wrong. The group worked tirelessly to fight for the Centre’s re-opening, which eventually came after a £7.5 million refurbishment. Remarkably, even as the COVID pandemic hit, the refurbishment continued and was completed once restrictions eased.

Today, Kidsgrove Sports Centre is a state-of-the-art facility at the heart of the community. It opens from 6:30am to 10:00pm weekdays and caters to all age groups. The diary is packed with activities, and it’s wonderful to see the place vibrant and busy each time I visit.

When I joined as a fully paid member, my goal was simple: get fitter and lose some weight. I’ve been making the most of my membership, swimming so often that, effectively, each session costs me just £1! Using a mix of regular swimming, fitness classes, and careful food management, I set myself a target of losing around 5 stone over nine months.

So far, I’ve lost 4 stone and 4lbs—almost there! The team’s encouragement, the variety of classes, and the welcoming environment have all played a major part in my progress, and I’m very grateful for their support.

Kidsgrove Sports Centre has proven the doubters wrong. From the closure of the old centre to the incredible new facility, the investment has paid back many times over, benefiting the entire local community. It’s a real success story, especially against the backdrop of swimming pool closures across the UK.

Do remember to support your local Sports Centre and make use of the fantastic facilities on offer.

It’s been a hard fight to get the Centre back up and running, and the rewards for our community have been immense.

Inspired by our members’ stories? Whether you want full access to all our facilities, flexible sessions to suit your schedule, or you just want to try a class to see if it’s right for you, we’ve got options to help you take that first step.