Freedom Leisure is pleased to announce that extensive refurbishments at de Stafford Sports Centre in partnership with de Stafford School are now complete after five months of work, which started after Freedom Leisure began management of the school’s sports centre in January.

On 27 September the new facilities were officially opened by Head Teacher of de Stafford School, Jeremy Garner and local athlete Louise Brownsey, British 17-21 Individual and Synchro Trampoline Champion – who were both joined by Cllr Lindsey Dunbar, Vice Chairman of Tandridge District Council, Ivan Horsfall-Turner, Managing Director of Freedom Leisure and a host of other Councillors, School Directors and Governors, Freedom Leisure Directors, and contractors.

The not-for-profit leisure trust invested £1.2 million to modernise the building making it more energy efficient and lessening its environmental impact, while also greatly improving the facilities.

Highlights include: brand new wellbeing exercise studio, extended main studio, extended gym with brand new state-of-the-art equipment, including an amazing new functional training room and a larger free weight area, a completely new reception area to allow for easier check in and entry, plus a new, large open plan café and seating area serving Costa Coffee and an improved range of hot and cold food.

After the formal ribbon cutting, guests were shown the new facilities while Louise Brownsey treated a group of children from the school to a one-to-one coaching session.

Of the newly refurbished centre, Freedom Leisure’s Ivan Horsfall-Turner, said: “We’re delighted to unveil this high-spec centre with a number of extra facilities, vastly increasing the opportunities and choice for local residents and students to be more active. The additional studio means an increased group exercise timetable, now also offering some of the latest Les Mills classes, while the brand new state-of-the-art gym kit means it is now one of the very best in the area. I’d like to thank Louise for joining us at the launch – having local, young and talented athletes training at the centre will really help to inspire pupils and other youngsters in the area to partake in sport too.

To show off the new facilities, staff are inviting locals to an open weekend on the 6^th and 7^th October – with free fitness sessions! So please do join them and have a look at all that is now on offer here.”

Jeremy garner added: “We are delighted with the strong working relationship we have quickly established with Freedom Leisure. Their significant investment in the sports centre refurbishment confirms their genuine commitment to providing affordable and accessible sport and leisure opportunities for the school and wider community. Our students and staff are already making the most of the fantastic facilities and we look forward to building upon the partnership in the future.” 

On Saturday 6 and Sunday 7 October the centre will be open to all, welcoming everyone in and around Caterham to try free activities and have a go on all the new kit for free all weekend, with swimming for just £1!

Louise Brownsey will also be returning to the centre from 11.30am on Sunday to give free trampolining demonstrations and trial sessions – with other children’s entertainment available all day on Sunday too.

There will be a special offer of 12 months for price of 10 on full annual memberships and no joining fee on annual or monthly memberships, plus a free 30 minute PT voucher for each membership taken out over the weekend!

After feedback from members new weekday opening hours of 6.00am instead of 6.30am weekdays will start on 1 October – to support those looking for a pre-work workout.

For further info visit www.freedom-leisure.co.uk/destafford or call 01883 716717 - option 2.