Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson
St Andrew’s Prep hosted a special ceremony to mark the official opening of its new state-of-the-art Sports Hall on Wednesday 28 September. Opened by Paralympian, Crossbench Peer in the House of Lords, Speaker and Broadcaster Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson DBE DL, the multi-million pound Goodwin Sports Hall has further enhanced the sporting provision on the school site. The Mayor, Caroline Ansell MP, governors, parents, pupils and staff together with many other dignitaries associated with local sports clubs and organisations in the region were all on hand to celebrate the opening.
Once the silk ribbon had been cut, everyone entered the main hall and were captivated by Baroness Grey-Thompson’s inspirational talk about aiming high, focusing on one’s own effort and ambitions and not worrying about the capacity of others. Afterwards, a number of year groups demonstrated the variety of sports that will take place in the Sports Hall including, among others, basketball, cricket, hockey, mini-tennis, and netball. At the same time, a dance demonstration was being performed in the large, light and airy dance studio that is adjacent to the main hall.
A lunch was offered to invited guests in the school pavilion before all were welcomed to watch the afternoon sports matches.
With the refurbishment of the St Andrew’s Prep ‘Fives’ court and the resurfacing of the school’s tennis courts just completed, St Andrew’s Prep’s sports facilities are in great shape.
The Goodwin Sports Hall facilities comprise:
Sports Hall
• Multi-purpose 690m2 activity room
• Ground floor glazed viewing area
• Oak sprung floor suitable for:
o volleyball
o netball
o 4 x badminton/short tennis courts
o indoor football/hockey
o gymnastics
o basketball
o cricket
Dance studio
Dual aspect studio with views across the fields towards the National Park
o 58m2 studio with oak sprung floor
o mirrors
o bar
Boys and Girls changing areas
o lockers
o showers
o WCs
First Aid area
