Tag arena challenge opens at new leisure centre

Kids aged eight and over and big kids can challenge a new TAG Active Arena

A lightning blue tag arena challenge for anyone aged eight and over - including adults - has opened as part of a new leisure centre in a Derbyshire town.

The ribbon was cut on Clay Cross Active on Wednesday to replace the former Sharley Park Leisure Centre.

North East Derbyshire District Council said the new centre features a 25-metre swimming pool and learner pool with spectator seating, fitness and spin studios, soft play and interactive play areas for children, a community cafe, and a TAG Active Arena.

Active Clay Cross said the arena was "the ultimate fusion of fitness, fun, and fierce competition" where players try to swipe tags, with higher points for hitting the trickier to reach marks.

Obstacles include a ball hop, sea of ropes, quarter pipe, overhang and crawl tube.

Beat the wall to score highly on the quarter pipe

The council said the facility, built as part of the £24m Clay Cross Town Deal alongside £1.9m of funding from Sport England, is "more than just a leisure centre" and will attract visitors and boost the local economy.

It said it would also be a community hub providing volunteering opportunities and rehabilitation programmes as well as helping to regenerate Clay Cross.

Clay Cross Active has been built where the former Sharley Park Leisure Centre stood

Councillor for Leisure Kathy Rouse, said it was a "game-changer" for the district and "a space for everyone".

She said: "It's not just about coming here for fitness - it's about community, a place to spend time as a family, whatever the weather and an opportunity to put Clay Cross on the map with all the fantastic developments in the town."