After a year of building work, Walsall College is now opening the doors of its £11m Business and Sports Hub to students and the community. The college received the key to the prominent development on Littleton Street West this week and also announced that it will be officially launched with a community event on Saturday 26th September.
The official handover of the key from contractors, Interserve Construction, to the college’s Principal and Chief Executive, Jatinder Sharma OBE, and Director of Operations and Resources, Deb Rajania, means that the new world-class business and sports hub is fully open for local businesses, members of the public and students to enjoy.
The Hub, as it will be called, includes a business incubation centre for start-up businesses, conference and event facilities, a multi-purpose sports hall, dance and fitness studios, gym, spa, sports training and injury clinic and a 40-seat bistro restaurant, all under one roof! The college’s previous gym is now operating from The Hub.
The college is holding a ‘Fit and Fun Day’ on Saturday 26th September and inviting members of the public to come and have a first look at the outstanding facilities available to help improve their health and wellbeing.
Jatinder Sharma, OBE, commented: “Today marks a landmark occasion for Walsall College and the community we serve, as this is the first facility of its kind to be built in the borough. Our vision has always been to create a space which addresses two of the area’s key initiatives; creating a thriving economy for all by supporting budding entrepreneurs with the skills and confidence they need to set up and run their own businesses, and giving the wider community greater opportunities to improve their health and fitness, by taking part in sports and physical activities.
“Now that the project is a reality, we are very excited and look forward to officially opening the doors of this fantastic building at the end of September to the whole community. Whilst we are currently enrolling students for the new academic year, we are also now offering additional sports courses and business incubation facilities.”
The Community Fit and Fun day on 26th September kicks off at 10am with a charity walk, starting from The Hub and heading around Walsall Arboretum along a 5km route. Following the walk, there will be a host of free and exciting activities taking place in The Hub sports hall including football, basketball, table tennis, badminton, boccia, wheelchair football, face painting and a bouncy castle.
There will be also be free fitness tests and heart rate monitoring available in the gym as well as information on how you can improve your health and wellbeing. Free inductions for the brand new gym will also be available and no sign up frees will apply on the day.
