23/09/2011 - Celebrations as new million pound School Sports Facility opens

This week saw the official opening of the new Ellowes Hall Sports Hall in Dudley, built by principal contractor Thomas Vale Construction. The event saw numerous people come together to celebrate the recent completion of the new state-of-the-art facility, and involved sporting displays by the students of Ellowes Hall Sports College as well as a balloon release to mark the celebration. Guests included Thomas Vale and Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council, amongst Governors, teachers and pupils.

The event enabled the school to showcase their new £1.3 million facility, which was awarded to stalwart Thomas Vale to build, back in December 2010. The project involved the construction of a new single storey sports hall, which features 2 full sized basketball courts, two 5-aside football pitches, 2 full sized volleyball courts, 8 badminton courts and 3 cricket nets. The sports hall also features new changing and office facilities for the school and community to use. The building incorporates sensor lighting in its attempts to become more energy efficient, and the external lights are bat friendly as to not harm the surrounding wildlife.

Paul Burchell, Divisional Director, Thomas Vale Construction comment: ‘It is great to see these facilities being used by such enthusiastic young people. Thomas Vale have thoroughly enjoying working with such a dedicated team as those at Ellowes Hall to achieve this magnificent Sports Hall.’

Head teacher Andy Griffiths marked the celebration with the official unveiling of a plaque before conveying his thanks to all those involved in this significant project. The school’s presentation also involved a short video taken from a camera overlooking the site, which showed the progressive work over the 32 weeks it took to build. The facility will provide numerous opportunities for the school and enhanced learning for the students.

There were also speeches from Ian Broadbridge, Senior Policy Advisor for PE & Sport DfE, and Geoff Marsh, the Chair of Governors, who have both been heavily involved with the project.

To conclude the opening event students too part in a balloon release to mark the completion of the new sports facility and new beginnings for both the school and local community who will also be allowed to use the facility.