The whole of Medway will benefit from an agreement just finalised between King’s Rochester and Medway Council.
King’s will take over the running and refurbishment of the Stirling Sports Centre on the Maidstone Road with immediate effect and the renamed King’s Rochester Sports Centre will benefit from an injection of half a million pounds by King’s to upgrade current facilities. The Centre will also remain open to individuals and clubs for public use, giving King’s – and local residents- some of the best sporting facilities in the South East.
The acquisition of the Centre, together with increased access to the two national-standard hockey pitches at Holcombe, will transform the sporting facilities at King’s, providing nine external tennis/ netball courts, a large gymnasium, a fitness gym, physio suite and changing rooms in addition to the indoor swimming pool and playing fields on the 1400 year-old school’s town centre site. Olympian hockey star, Julian Halls, has been appointed as the Director of Sports Development for the new King’s Sports Centre.
Julian said: “I am very excited to be a part of this project which will benefit not only King’s pupils but also the wider community”.
New Principal of King’s, Jeremy Walker said: “We are delighted to enter into this partnership with Medway Council, which means that King’s will be able to revitalise the Centre for the use of the local community whilst also making such a major improvement to sporting facilities for our pupils.”
“I am introducing a number of new Sports Scholarships on the back of this exciting development and hope to hear from talented youngsters who will be aged 11, 13 and 16 in September 2013 and who wish to join King’s. How appropriate too that this project has come to fruition during the year when London has played host to such a successful Olympics!”
Medway Council’s Portfolio Holder for Community Services Cllr Howard Doe added: ““Providing first class facilities for everyone is an important part of Medway’s sporting legacy in the wake of the success of the London Olympics and as part of our Year of Celebration.
This partnership with King’s Rochester will make it possible for the council to offer residents a greatly enhanced centre, and also to extend the opening hours so that more people can benefit from the wide range of excellent amenities that will soon be on offer”.
For further information on how to book the facilities at the new King’s Rochester Sports Centre please call 01634 818422.
Back row, left to right, King’s Rochester Head Boy Angus Wilson, Head Girl Henrietta McCormick, Director of Sports Development Julian Halls. Front row, left to right, Councillor Howard Doe, Principle of King’s Rochester Jeremy Walker and the Leader of Medway Council, Cllr Rodney Chambers