Oswestry Leisure Centre nominated for national fitness award

The National Fitness Awards, first staged in 2010, recognise achievement and excellence in the health and fitness industry, with prizes awarded in over 20 categories.

Every year, there are hundreds of nominated sites and individuals, but the judges have chosen just seven finalists for Local Authority Gym of the Year, with the centres competing against Oswestry dotted across the country from Basingstoke to Burnley, Canvey Island to Christchurch.

This is the first time in its history that the centre, which is managed by Shropshire Community Leisure Trust (SCLT) on behalf of Shropshire Council, has made the final in the event, which will be held at Leicester’s Athena venue on Friday, November 26.

Chris Stanbrook, partnership manager for SCLT, said: “Congratulations to the team at Oswestry on making the final at the National Fitness Awards.

"It’s a great community-focused centre, which deserves its moment in the sun.

“I’ll be over the moon on the 26th if we’re able to bring this prize back to Shropshire.”

Peter Davis, Shropshire Council’s leisure services manager, said: “This is fantastic news and underlines the recent achievements of the centre staff team and the Trust’s managing agent Serco Leisure.

"Having been involved in the design and development of Oswestry Leisure Centre and seen the health and fitness provision improve dramatically since the beginning of the council’s partnership with the Trust, I have my fingers firmly crossed for success next month.”

Councillor Cecilia Motley, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet Member for Communities, Culture, Leisure and Tourism, Transport, added: “Oswestry Leisure Centre is an excellent facility and I’m so pleased that it and, most importantly, the staff who run it have been recognised in this way.

"I wish them the very best of luck next month.”

For more information about all of the trust’s centres and what they’ve got to offer, visit the website: https://www.shropshireleisurecentres.com/