Community activity gym set to reopen for local residents

Activity centre gym reopening thanks to Commonwealth grant funding at event on 18 May Council working in partnership to open Commonhealth hub Gym to provide physical and wellness activities

Tamworth Borough Council are excited to announce that through partnership working and funding, are re-opening the activity and gym centre in Tamworth Castle Grounds as ‘The Commonwealth in Commonhealth Hub,’ at an open day event on Saturday 18 May.

The event will take place from 1pm-5pm and invites residents to come along and see what the new hub has to offer.

The community gym will provide physical and wellness activities indoors and outdoors, utilising the wonderful facilities in the Castle Grounds such as the outdoor gym and table tennis tables.

In addition, the centre will be offered to those who volunteer and take part in the weekly successful parkrun, providing a base each week to connect after the run.

Funding of £193,049 was approved as a partnership application with Community Together CIC via the Commonwealth Games legacy. The Inclusive Communities Fund has helped restore the community activity gym and employ a fitness instructor and health and wellbeing coach to run the activities.  

The Inclusive Communities Fund was inspired by the momentum generated by the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games. It aims to strengthen the achievements prompted by the Games, offering community organisations access to new funding to make a difference for the people they work with.

Grants are available for projects that contribute to the four core missions of bringing people together, improving health and well-being, helping the region to grow, and putting the region on the map. The fund encompasses three key themes: physical activity and sport, mental health and well-being, and arts, culture, and creativity.

Lee Bates, Development and Engagement Officer for Community Together CIC, said: “We are so excited to bring this well-loved gym and wellbeing centre back into use.

“The partnership with the council to obtain the funding and the hard work of our volunteers to get the centre ready, has been incredible.

“The launch event coincides with Mental Health Awareness Week 13th to 19th May 2024.  We are chuffed to say that John Hills is completing his annual charity fundraising cycle ride from Derby to Tamworth in the Castle Grounds and will be cutting the ribbon at the opening of the centre between 2pm to 3pm.

“There will be various activities for the public to try including a silent disco, provided by the council’s Active Wellbeing team. So come and join us on the 18^th!”

Stephen Gabriel, Chief Executive for Tamworth Borough Council, said: “We continue to work with our local community partners to support our voluntary sector, helping people with physical and wellbeing services.

“The reopening of the centre is very important to ensure that we deliver vital services to our residents that need it the most and carry out projects to help shape and support our communities.”