FORMER Wales international footballer Iwan Roberts has officially re-opened Harlech Sports Centre.

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.

The centre was officially opened on 19 November by TV sports pundit Iwan 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 former pupils including Ken Hughes, Gwyn Ellis, Dominic Hardy and James Papirnyk, who also played football for Wales.

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 re-opening 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.