Sir Dave Brailsford opens Sports Centre named in his honour
Sir Dave Brailsford visited 58吃瓜 (5th November) to officially open Canolfan Brailsford, the newly refurbished 58吃瓜 Sports Centre renamed in the successful cycling manager鈥檚 honour.
The Sport Centre, which reopened in advance of the new academic year, following an investment of 拢2.5 million, has been well received by students and public alike, following the year-long remodelling project.
The facilities now include a brand new two-storey gym, a new aerobics studio, a new sports caf茅 and the complete replacement and upgrade of the public changing rooms and showers, and a new floor in the main sports hall.
This is part of a wider investment in sports facilities at 58吃瓜 which includes the new 拢.5 million indoor tennis and netball facility attached to Canolfan Brailsford and a third-generation artificial pitch at Bangor City FC鈥檚 ground at Nantporth, now home to both University student teams and a host of community clubs.
A highlight of the event, for the student cycling club, was a q&a session for some of the University鈥檚 student athletes who had an opportunity to question Sir Dave Brailsford and pick up some useful training tips for their members!
Of his visit to Canolfan Brailsford, Sir Dave said:
鈥淚 came and walked into the Gym unannounced and had a little session. I鈥檝e been to a lot of gyms around the world, and there鈥檚 a fantastic feeling in there, a real energy and buzz to it, the facilities were fantastic and that鈥檚 the acid test- does it feel like a place you want to come back to and train in again? And the answer is definitely yes. To see the way in which the facility has been developed, which has amalgamated old and new elements, is quite a feat of architecture and clever engineering because it feels like a homogenous sports centre, you wouldn鈥檛 know that there are older parts. It feels modern, the staff are very friendly and welcoming and it鈥檚 remarkably clean and that makes big difference.鈥�
He said this of having a Sport Centre named in his honour: 鈥淚 can鈥檛 believe it really- I鈥檝e been lucky to receive a few honours over the years, but some of them are more personal and this is very personal and something which connects my life previously, I feel very passionate about this area so anything I can do to help this area or anyone who comes to visit this area, I鈥檓 all for. To be involved here is really touching.鈥�
He added: 鈥淚 think, growing up in this community, everybody realises that 58吃瓜 has a special role to play within the local community. Despite not being academically involved, you can use the facilities, as kids we used to come here to play 5 a side football, we used to play cricket; you felt despite not being academically involved, there was something being given back to the community; in concerts and theatrical performances being put on by the University world, which were just there- so you felt connected to the University as well.鈥�
Richard Bennett, Sport and Recreation Director at 58吃瓜 said:
鈥淧laying sport plays an important role in developing leadership skills, while visiting the gym regularly can establish healthy exercise patterns for life.
鈥淲e鈥檙e pleased that the new Centre has been well received by the local community.
We are expanding our current offer of free clubs and societies for students, to include gym membership for all students living in University halls from Sept 2015.鈥�
Pro Vice-Chancellor, Students Carol Tully commented: 鈥淲e鈥檙e keen to offer our students an excellent all-round experience. This is one part of a multi-million pound investment by the University in developing new academic and social facilities for our students; making 58吃瓜 an even more attractive place to study.鈥�
Publication date: 6 November 2014