I first visited the Europa Weightlifting Club in Temple Hill, back in September 2019, when I accepted an invitation from Olympic weightlifter, Andrew Callard.
Andrew founded the club in 2002, towards the end of his own competitive international career and after that it went on to be the leading club in the UK with athletes representing Great Britain at the London Olympic Games plus numerous World and European Championships.
Andrew's vision was to fully refurbish the gym, along with the Temple Hill Youth Centre which shared the space and at that first visit the club was in the very early stages of plans.
The renovation was awarded £244,920 and is one of 45 places across the country to receive a share of more than £12.3 million thanks to the Community Ownership Fund.
It was a pleasure therefore, to be invited back to the Club to open the newly refurbished facility which now includes:
• fully refurbished outside Multi Use Games Area which will be used for 7-aside football (with local primary schools having free use during the school day)
• Youth Club area kitted out with all new equipment, including state-of-the-art kitchen facilities
• 8 new weightlifting platforms
• cardiovascular fitness machines
• mirrored dance/fitness studio
• PT sessions available
• outdoor training space with full equipment
• on-site physiotherapist
• state of the art showering/toilet facilities
• free car parking available
This is a fantastic new facility which will make a positive contribution to the health and wellbeing of local people.