ACCRINGTON and Rossendale College celebrated the launch of its new state-of-the-art Sports Fitness Centre by hosting a special ticketed event for prospective students.

The brand new centre, which cost around £2 million, boasts a four-court sports hall capable of hosting a variety of different activities, as well as sports science labs, specialist equipment and an all-new fitness gym.

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It was given the green light by councillors despite neighbours’ objections over traffic, noise, and nuisance, and was part funded by Sport England.

The 35 ft-high building was built as an extension to an existing pavilion on the Broad Oak Campus looking over open fields.

The open evening, which featured professional basketball team Lancashire Spinners performing trick shots, gave prospective students and employers the opportunity to see the facilities up close, with many taking part in different sports challenges.

Deputy head of sport and leisure, Becky Coleman, said: “It was great to see prospective students and employers enjoying the brand new facilities.

“The facilities are not only going to have an impact on current and future students, but will also be available to the local community for recreational use.”

Accrington and Rossendale College Principal Sue Taylor, along with both current and prospective students, officially opened the centre with a special ribbon cutting ceremony.

She said: “Here at AccRoss, we are continually developing our facilities to ensure that our current and future students have the best possible environment in which to learn.”

Neighbours in Broad Oak Road had submitted a “number” of objections to the building, voicing their worry about the impact the development would have on the road, and concerns about noise and disturbance from construction traffic.

However, a report that went before the council’s planning committee said: “Although the development of a large scale sports hall would not normally be appropriate within an area designated as countryside, the fact the site immediately abuts the campus within the urban boundary means the development is able to satisfy the policy criteria.”