The long-anticipated Blackbridge Community and Sports Hub has officially opened, bringing a much-needed facility for health and well-being to Podsmead and the surrounding areas in Gloucester. This new addition has been tailored to meet local needs and is part of a wider neighborhood regeneration plan.
The hub, inaugurated on April 28, features a fitness gym, studio spaces for various classes, a state-of-the-art 3G sports pitch, and a versatile social space for community activities. It also serves as the new base for the Blackbridge Charitable Community Benefit Society (CCBS) Youth Team.
Local youth have played a vital role in shaping the hub; a group called ‘SYNERGY’ collaborated with the designers to provide input on internal fittings and inclusive graphics within the facility. The hub’s design includes a multi-language welcome wall and wayfinding signs featuring symbols and icons, ensuring accessibility for all community members.
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Sue Cunningham, Chair of Blackbridge Charitable Community Benefit Society, noted, “I think that it will be of tremendous value for the residents of Podsmead to be able to access the Blackbridge Community and Sports Hub in walking distance, and it will be an amazing resource for the community and something that the Board of Directors are very proud of achieving on behalf of Podsmead.”
This hub also presents opportunities for local health and well-being service providers, including graduates of Blackbridge CCBS’s ‘Spark into Sport’ program, aimed at individuals seeking to pursue careers in sports and fitness.
Debbie Etheridge, Head of Youth Provision at Blackbridge CCBS, emphasized the significance of youth involvement in the project, stating, “The Community and Sports Hub will host the youth work team, offering evening open access sessions, small group work, confidential one-to-one support, and daytime provision using informal education for those not in education, employment, or training. This hub is more than just a space; it’s a catalyst for positive change, empowering our youth to thrive and make a lasting impact on their lives and the community.”
Managed in partnership with Freedom Leisure, a not-for-profit leisure trust, the hub aligns with Blackbridge CCBS’s vision of promoting health, well-being, and inclusivity through accessible sports and recreational opportunities.
Ivan Horsfall Turner, CEO at Freedom Leisure, expressed excitement about the opening, highlighting the facility’s potential to serve as a hub for leisure and social interaction. As a not-for-profit organization, Freedom Leisure aims to improve lives through leisure, encouraging the community to experience the Blackbridge Community and Sports Hub firsthand.