School’s sports hall transformed (From The Northern Echo)

School’s sports hall transformed

11:50am Friday 14th November 2008 in Search

THE £250,000 refurbishment of a school’s sports facility is to bring in a new era of fitness and training opportunities to hundreds of pupils.

Two former students, who are notching up enviable reputations in the sporting field, returned to Tanfield School in Stanley last week to perform the opening ceremony at the multi-purpose centre.

The guests of honour included Carly Telford, a member of the England Women’s Football team, who plays for Leeds Carnegie, and David Brown, who recently won a scholarship to Sunderland Football Club’s academy.

The original sports hall at the school was constructed in 1912 and had become outdated.

Sarah Johnson, director of learning and physical education at Tanfield said the refurbishment included new shower and changing facilities and the replacement of the sports hall’s original tarmaced surface with a sprung floor.

Looking to the 2012 Olympics, Mrs Johnson said the refurbished building would greatly assist pupils to develop their sporting talents and added: “The new facilities will bring us into the 21st Century of sport and really help us to promote a healthy lifestyle and fitness for students.”

The school is running a competition to find a name for the new complex.

Mrs Johnson said that the current hot favourite was The 2012 Block, which reflects its original name – The 1912 Block.

*Pictured: David Brown and Carly Telford join students Rebecca Cleasby, Beth Haslam, Grant Graver, David Calvert, Cain Drake and Emma Burns for the opening of the refurbished sports facility at Tanfield School