Hub opening 'heralds dawn of new sports quarter'

Blackbridge Community and Sports Hub includes a 3G sports pitch and a studio for pilates, yoga and dance

The opening of a new community and sports hub has made part of Gloucester "a real top quality sports quarter", according to the director of the society behind it.

Blackbridge Community and Sports Hub was officially opened on Monday as part of regeneration plans for Podsmead.

The hub, which cost more than £6m, includes a fitness gym, studio spaces for dance, yoga and pilates classes, a 3G sports pitch, and a hireable social space for community activities. A youth team offering support will also be based there.

Podsmead is within one of the most health-deprived areas nationally for people aged 16–64, according to government data from 2019.

Mark Gale, director of Blackbridge Charitable Community Benefit Society, said: "When people see it, I know they'll be impressed."

The hub's opening comes more than a year after the BBC reported how 600 residents signed a petition against it, with objections including concerns about access via Laburnum Road.

Young people from Podsmead informed the society on activities they wanted and inclusive graphics, including a multi-language welcome wall and wayfinding signs that include symbols and icons as well as words.

The youth team will offer evening open access sessions and confidential one-to-one support and daytime provision for those not in education, employment or training.

A yoga teacher from Podsmead will teach classes at the hub and E.G. Carter, a contractor from the area, built it.

The hub will also offer opportunities for local providers of other health and wellbeing services.

Young people from Podsmead were involved in the creation of the hub, including the design of accessible and inclusive wall art

Mr Gale said: "We're really excited, it's probably been 10 years in discussion and taken us four or five years to bring to life.

"It heralds the dawn of a new sports and wellbeing quarter for that part of the city, connecting up Robinswood Hill with the Blackbridge site and local rugby clubs and the athletics track next door.

"We've spent a lot of money on it. It's cost over £6m to bring to life but it's fantastic."