Saturday (24 August) marked a very special day in the history of Trust Thamesmead, the only community development agency working in Thamesmead.

After years of planning and a number of setbacks the doors to the charity’s £4.5 million community sports and leisure hub opened its doors to the public for the first time.

And although the incessant rain put paid to the scheduled outdoor activities it didn’t deter the many hardy Thamesmead residents who went along, staying warm and dry indoors enjoying the stilt walkers, balloon modelling and face painters.

Simon Jones is the Manager at Sporting Club Thamesmead. He said: “It was great to be able to show off the fantastic facilities now available to the community. People are very welcome to pop in at any time to see them for themselves if the rain kept them away at the weekend and maybe even stay a while and have a drink or snack in our café bar which is open to the public. There are no joining fees here. We are a true community facility running as a social enterprise so we can plough any profit we make back into the project.”

Anastasia Powell from Diva Fitness, who is responsible for the great range of fitness classes at Sporting Club Thamesmead, said: “The family fun day was a success and those I spoke to at length were very pleased with the new facilities.  Many told me that Thamesmead needs something new like this as there is nothing around here.

“They were all very excited about the new timetable of fitness classes and a few actually called friends and family to book them in there and then and help spread the word.  The feedback was happy and positive and those that came really enjoyed the day and the mini tasters my staff did throughout the day with children and adults alike showed that we are a family friendly venue.”

Sporting Club Thamesmead has produced a brochure outlining what’s on offer at the centre in Bayliss Avenue, Thamesmead. You can either pick one up at the Reception desk or download one at: www.sportingclubthamesmead.co.uk/all-about-us/ where you’ll also be able to see the current timetables and how to book the various activities.