Top sports stars set to attend sports village grand opening

A host of top sporting stars are set to attend the grand opening of Derby City Council’s new £42 million Moorways Sports Village.

The team of stars, led by six-times Paralympic medallist Kadeena Cox, are set to attend the opening, which is due to take place on Saturday 21 May.

Built by Bowmer + Kirkland and operated by Everyone Active in partnership with the council, the sports village features a host of state-of-the-art facilities.

To mark its opening, a wide variety of free and paid-for activities will be laid on for the local community from 10am, including group exercise classes, soft play, martial arts taster sessions, football skills sessions and face painting, with the sporting stars joining in the fun.

As well as Kadeena, other stars set to appear include swimming legend Mark Foster, local swimming star Ross Davenport, athlete Niamh Emerson, football freestyler Jamie Knight, Derby County Women’s Sarah Jackson and manager Sam Griffiths.

Claire Davenport, the city council’s director of leisure, culture and tourism, said: “After we cut the ribbon, we can’t wait for everyone to see and use the fantastic facilities that we’re providing at Moorways Sports Village.

“Our leisure operating partner Everyone Active has arranged a great day of activities, which will show off everything our brand new, state-of-the-art venue has to offer.”

Moorways Sports Village will be formally opened with a ribbon-cutting ceremony outside the main entrance at 9.15am.

This will be followed by a question-and-answer session with the athletes in Studio Three. It will include opportunities to secure selfies and autographs.

Each of the VIPs will then head to different parts of the centre to take part in the activity programme.

Mark, who is a six times world swimming champion and competed at five Olympics, along with and Ross, who is a two-times Commonwealth Games gold medallist, will be at the pool and water park.

The water park includes two four-storey flumes, the only wave-creating Wow ball in a UK public pool, the first wave rider in England, a racer slide and a fun water play area for families.

Kadeena will lead the gym challenges while Niamh, who is a Commonwealth Games bronze medallist, will head to Moorways Stadium where a junior athletics meeting will take place.

Meanwhile, Jamie will host children’s football skills sessions, supported by Sarah and Sam.

All the athletes will finish their morning by heading to the fitness suite in a bid to top the gym challenge leader boards.

Simon Morgan, Everyone Active’s contract manager, said: “We are so excited to open the doors to Moorways Sports Village and believe the huge programme of activities and celebrity involvement will prove the ideal way to celebrate with the whole community.

“We want to show as many people as possible the superb facility on their doorstep, which has something for everyone, no matter what your age, interests or ability.

“We look forward to welcoming the public on Saturday, 21 May, giving them the chance to try out the fantastic facilities and putting on a day to remember.”

Claire said: “It is great to have support from the top sports stars attending our grand opening who will add to the excitement of the day, enabling people to have lots of fun and enjoyment as well as creating special memories.”

People can now book selected activities at Moorways Sports Village by clicking here.