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Elmbridge Xcel Sports Hub Waterside Drive
Elmbridge Xcel Sports Hub
The Elmbridge Xcel Sports Hub was officially opened on Thursday 14 September by the Mayor of Elmbridge, Councillor Rachael Lake. The launch is somewhat of a beginning and end; it marks the end of seven years of planning, preparation, remediation and building but more importantly it signals the beginning of a new era of sport in Elmbridge.
Xcel Active Everyday Event
If you want to go along and take a look for yourself there is a FREE community event tomorrow (Sunday 17th September) from 10am to 4pm.
“Come along and try something new at our free Xcel Active Everyday Event, this fun packed community event is full of exciting activities for everybody to enjoy between 10am – 4pm plus get to look round our brand new Elmbridge Xcel Sports Hub.”
Activities between 10am – 12pm will be geared towards our 50+ community which will include:
- Walking Football
- Touch Tennis
- Badminton
- Walking Netball
- Falls Prevention Sessions
- Exercise Referral Class
- Healthy Walk
After 12pm, we have a full programme for all the family including:
- Bouncy Castle
- Free Swimming – available 12pm – 1pm and 1pm – 1.30pm
- Pool Inflatable Sessions – available 2pm – 2.45pm and 2.45pm – 3.30pm
- Sports Taster Sessions
- Children’s Arts and Crafts
- Local Businesses and retailers
Workout Taster Classes – Please pre-book your space by calling our reception 01932 260300.
1.00pm – 1.25pm Body Pump
1.00pm – 1.25pm Yoga
1.30pm – 1.55pm Body Step
1.30pm – 1.55pm LBT
2.00pm – 2.25pm Body Attack
2.00pm – 2.25pm Pilates
2.30pm – 2.55pm Body Combat
2.30pm – 2.55pm Body Balance
3.00pm – 3.25pm Insanity
3.00pm – 3.25pm Gentle Stretch
3.30pm – 3.55pm Boxercise
3.30pm – 3.55pm Core/Ab
We have music, dance, singing and theatre groups performing throughout the whole day between 10am – 4pm
Upon arrival you will be asked to check in and receive a band which grants you free access to all the above. Some activities do require pre-booking.
Facilities at The Elmbridge Sports Hub
In terms of facilities, the Xcel Sports Hub will have the following:
- 3G floodlit synthetic turf main stadia pitch
- 3G floodlit synthetic turf second pitch
- 1 full size grass pitch with the potential for up to 4 mini pitches
- 8 lane floodlit athletics track to UK Athletics standard with field sports area in the centre of the track
- A shared pavilion with dual aspect covered spectator seating for over 500
- A dividable function room with bar and separate kitchen
- 6 changing rooms
- Combined football and athletics club room
- Free car park
While the facilities are important and state-the-art, the Xcel Sports Hub is so much more than functions rooms and changing rooms, it is a beacon of sport of Elmbridge.
It offers the whole Elmbridge community an amazing opportunity to become involved in sports at all levels – participating, spectating, coaching, stewarding or volunteering in a numerous ways.
The Xcel Sports Hub is the new home of four of our most respected clubs:
- Walton & Hersham FC
- Walton Athletics Club
- Walton Casual Juniors
- Walton Casuals
All the clubs are excited about the opportunities the Xcel Sport Hub provides:
Frank Scannella, Chairman of Walton Casuals Juniors FC is delighted that up and coming footballing talent in Elmbridge has a facility that allows them to thrive and grow;
“The commitment, dedication and talent shown by our junior teams (and their families) is something we should all be proud of. The Xcel Sports Hub allows us to grow and nurture their talent even more and we are all very excited to play at this wonderful new facility.”
2017 marks the 75th birthday of Walton Athletics Club and its Chairman Jack Rutherford, can think of no better way to celebrate than to bring the club to this new facility:
“Walton Athletics Club has been in Borough for 75 years and has grown and evolved as the area has. Moving to the Xcel Sports Hub is another chapter in our history and one that I am confident will bring much success. Our membership is increasing every year and we are proud to have athletes competing at county, country and international levels. The new facilities at Waterside Drive will only propel us further.”
Alan Smith, Chairman, Walton & Hersham FC is fully committed to the success of the Xcel Sports Hub;
“Clearly to leave Stompond Lane after 80 plus years and the history of both the club and the ground, and the recognition it has brought to the town, it is a tremendous wrench for us but now we are fully committed to the Hub and helping to play a significant part of it being a major success.”
The first Walton Casuals match of the 2017/18 Bostik League at their new home was played on Saturday 9 September when Walton Casuals played Horsham FC and Club Chairman of ‘The Stags’ as they are known locally and Sky Sports pundit, Tony Gale is embracing the new season;
“For the last two seasons, we have been ground sharing whilst this wonderful stadium was being built. Now it’s here, we can’t quite believe our eyes. It’s a great facility; probably one of the best in England. We are honoured to be playing our home games here and we just hope that everyone in the community comes together with us and the other clubs, to enjoy, to grow and to participate in this wonderful stadium. A very big thank you to Elmbridge Borough Council for making it all possible.”
A beacon of sport for Elmbridge
From the beginning of the process to create the Xcel Sports Hub, the sporting community has been excited by the prospect of this amazing facility.
Surrey County FA
“Surrey County FA is committed to developing better players, especially in the 5-11 age group, and a key enabler of that is improved facilities – improving the access and quality of training and playing facilities. The Sports Hubs in Walton-on-Thames will provide children and young people with the opportunity to develop and grow their skills in a state-of-the-art stadium – that can only be a good result for Elmbridge and Surrey.”
Sport England
“There is no doubt that the Sports Hub in Walton-on-Thames will have huge benefit to the local community. Sport England is committed to helping people and communities across the country create sporting habits for life. State-of-art facilities like this will get more people playing sport and will create opportunities for people to excel at their chosen sport.”
Run England
“At Run England our aim is to help and encourage more people to run, and to run more often. We welcome the news of an eight-lane running track at the Sports Hub in Walton-on-Thames. This will be a hugely beneficial facility for people of all ages across the Borough of Elmbridge.”
Ryman League
“Upgraded pitches and improved player and spectator facilities can only help football clubs to grow and thrive. The Sports Hub in Walton-on-Thames will allow Walton and Hersham FC and Walton Casuals to increase spectator numbers, to grow their youth programmes and most of all, it will help to bring their passion for the beautiful game to a new generation of players.”
UK Athletics / British Athletics
“Athletics clubs are a fantastic way of getting started in the sport. We welcome projects to improve athletics facilities and to provide more access to athletics. The Xcel Sports Hub in Walton-on-Thames can only benefit the residents of Elmbridge by encouraging them to get involved as an athlete, coach, official or volunteer.”
Elmbridge Borough Council
Elmbridge Borough Council has been committed to developing the Xcel Sport Hub as a community hub for sports. Its proximity to the Xcel Leisure Complex, encourages residents to enjoy both facilities.
Councillor Stuart Selleck, Leader of Elmbridge Borough Council;
“We are very proud of this wonderful new sports hub and we would like it to become a beacon of sport for Elmbridge. Whether you play, support or volunteer, the Xcel Sports Hub offers a range of opportunities for the whole community to come together and to enjoy sport in a modern, yet welcoming and friendly environment.”
Places For People (PFP)
The Xcel Sports Hub will be operated by People for Places (PFP), who also run the Xcel Leisure Complex and Hurst Pool. They bring decades of experiences in sports centre management to the Sports Hub and are enthusiastic about adding the Xcel Sports Hub to their portfolio.
“We are excited by the opportunities that this fantastic facility will open up for all members of the community to adopt a love of physical activity as well as the future of competitive and elite sports within Elmbridge. Together with the Council and our partners we are looking forward to offering the local community a wide range of activities that will ignite their enthusiasm for increased physical activity and good health as well as supporting Olympians and Paralympians of the future to meet their aspirations.”
The Xcel Sports Hub is an ideal venue for a range of events, sporting and not sporting. Everything from school and college sports days to christening parties and high school proms can be catered for.
For booking enquiries please email enquiries@thexcelsportshub.org
Wilmott Dixon
The Xcel Sports Hub would not have been possible without our construction partner, Wilmott Dixon. Their dedication and commitment to running this project on time and within budget (and most importantly, safely), has a created state-of-the-art facilities we can all be proud of.
Key facts from the project –
- 241 project weeks of apprentice placement directly on site, supporting their learning and training.
- 2 new local apprentices
- 170 students attended STEM (Science, technology, engineering, and Maths) educational workshops
- 163 students attended educational site visits
- 66 project weeks of work experience provided directly on site including hard to reach individuals placed through Surrey
- 80.11% local labour (40 mile radius)
- 79.46% local spend (40 mile radius)
- 15 engagements supporting university dissertation research
- 669 no. of operatives attending short courses
- 19 no. NVQ courses supported throughout the project
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