WORLD triple jump champion Jonathan Edwards officially opened a school's new £1m sports centre nearly two years after its original centre was destroyed.
Jonathan visited The Hermitage School in Chester-le-Street last week to open the Gill Dobson Sports Centre, named after the school's life-long learning co-ordinator and international athlete.
Earlier this summer Mrs Dobson represented England in an international heptathlon in Puerto Rico.
Since the original building was burnt down in an arson attack in November 2001, sports lessons have had to be held on the playing field, or in the school hall and temporary changing rooms had to be created.
Headteacher Ian Robertson said: "After the trauma, frustration and difficulties we have faced since the fire, we can now look forward to the start of a new era of sporting excellence."
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article