Clay Cross Active Officially Opened with Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

Cross Active was officially opened with a celebratory ribbon cutting ceremony attended by local dignitaries, including the Leader of the Council, Imogen Clarke, Commonwealth silver medallist, who had the honour of cutting the ribbon.

The event also welcomed representatives from Alliance Leisure, Universal Design & Build, Clay Cross Town Board, and Sport England, key partners who provided funding and support for the development of the centre.

The ceremony marked the formal unveiling of a commemorative plaque and celebrated the transformation of the site into a vibrant, state-of-the-art community hub. Although the centre opened its doors to the public on 18 June, the official launch highlighted the significance of the project for the town of Clay Cross and the wider region.

Clay Cross Active has already seen thousands of visitors in its first week, with glowing reviews praising the facility’s modern design, welcoming atmosphere, and wide range of amenities. The centre features a fully equipped gym, a wellness suite, a soft play area for children, TAG Active and the inviting ‘Sharley’s Café’ — named in tribute to the legacy of the former site and its importance to the local community. In the coming weeks and months, Citizens Advice and Clay Cross Clinic will also open their doors to the public along with work starting on the new 3G Football Pitch.

The centre has been designed with sustainability in mind, incorporating solar panels and energy-efficient systems to reduce its environmental impact. The project also retained and repurposed elements of the original building, blending those with innovation to both reduce overall cost and carbon.

Cllr Kathy Rouse, Cabinet Member for Leisure at North East Derbyshire District Council, said: “Clay Cross Active is more than just a leisure centre—it’s a space where people of all ages can come together to improve their health, connect with others, access services, and enjoy everything the facility and park has to offer. We’re incredibly proud of what we’ve achieved here.”

Lisa Dodd-Mayne, Executive Director for Place, Sport England, said:

“The doors are open! In a short space of time, we have already seen how Clay Cross Active will enable local communities to come together and share the benefits of being active.

“Throughout the construction, we worked hand in hand with North East Derbyshire Council and I’m so pleased to see we have delivered on our promise of Clay Cross Active being a low carbon, low energy destination hub for all the community to enjoy for years to come.

“We are working in this way across England – investing in places and spaces to create both formal and informal opportunities to support more people to be physically active and change their lives for the better.”

A spokesperson for Alliance Leisure said, “It’s thanks to the dedication of our delivery team, the strong collaboration between our partners and the flexibility of the UK Leisure Framework that we have successfully delivered this transformational project for North East Derbyshire.

Completing a community-led project like this is a proud occasion for the team, as we now get to see the huge benefits it will bring to the health and wellbeing of local residents.”

Clay Cross Active is set to become a cornerstone of the town, offering not only health and fitness opportunities but also a welcoming environment for social interaction and community engagement. The centre represents a significant investment in the wellbeing and future of Clay Cross and its residents alongside the other Clay Cross Town deal projects, soon to be completed in the town.

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