HARLECH sports centre has re-opened thanks to the efforts of the local school.

The centre, which was originally opened in 1990, was closed by Gwynedd Council in March and responsibility for the running of the site was handed over to Ysgol Ardudwy.

Ysgol Ardudwy headteacher Tudur Williams said: “The centre has been an important institution within the school catchment area for many years and it was with sadness we experienced the decline in opening hours and usage.

“Gwynedd Council decided not to finance the centre and asked the school to oversee the use for the community. The school has very strong community links and reopening the centre will benefit the school and community.

“The governors were keen to invest in a project that would improve fitness and training facilities for pupils; it will also help the young and old in the area to achieve the Welsh government fitness and participation targets.

“The response of the public to reopening the centre has been fantastic and we thank them for their support. It has been an exciting and successful year for the school with outstanding success on the academic side and also establishing high quality fitness and health facilities.”

The centre will be managed by Iolo Owen, a former physical education teacher at the school.

Facilities at the centre include two fitness and weight-training rooms, the gymnasium and sports hall. Clubs and groups can also use the sports hall for rugby, football, netball, hockey, walking football, badminton, indoor bowling, beginners cycling and basketball.

The school gymnasium is used for the primary gymnastic classes, dance, adult street dance fitness sessions and circuit training blasting sessions.

Iolo Owen said: “A comprehensive activities programme has been arranged with activities for all ages.

“The centre is open for community use from 4.30pm to 9pm, Monday to Friday. The fitness room will be used by the over 50s from 4.30pm to 6pm, with Wednesday night allocated for ladies’ usage. It’s pleasing to have people ask for new activities and we have arranged walking football for the over 60 and also over-40s football ‘five-a-side sessions. We are fortunate to have excellent and experienced coaches involved in developing different activities within the centre.”

The centre will have its official opening ceremony on 19 November, with ex-Wales international professional footballer and current TV sports pundit Iwan Roberts as the guest of honour.

Iwan is a former pupil at Ardudwy and will have his international shirts displayed on the main corridor, alongside the shirts of other pupils, namely Ken Hughes, Gwyn Ellis, Dominic Hardy and James Papirnyk, who also played football for Wales.

The work of the successful local photographer John Powell Jones will also be displayed in the centre.