Portland Centre Reopens Doors to Welcome Back Local Community

Having been closed to the public since December 2020, we are delighted to announce the reopening of the Portland Centre.

The facility offers a wide variety of sporting amenities, including a sports hall, squash courts, gym, fitness studio and traditional swimming pool, and is easily accessible to people who live locally, with onsite car parking, as well as ease of access via public transport.

Sam Crawford, Head of Business Development at Notts County Foundation, said: “We are absolutely delighted to be able to officially reopen the doors to the Portland Centre and welcome back members of the local community.

“We have been working incredibly hard over the last few months to improve the facility and create a truly unique space that the surrounding community can be proud to use at their leisure. Everyone at the Notts County Foundation would like to take this opportunity to extend an invitation to anyone and everyone in the local area to come and benefit from the centre’s excellent facilities and classes.”

Between March and the beginning of May 2021, the Portland Centre was temporarily transformed into an asymptomatic COVID testing centre, providing free rapid COVID-19 tests to residents of the Meadows and the surrounding community.

Gemma Stapleton, a member at the Portland Centre, said: “As a regular gym user at the Portland Centre, I have not only missed the physical exercise, but the general atmosphere and being among likeminded people. It’s a great facility with friendly staff, good equipment and an inviting layout. The reopening is long overdue, and I am looking forward to trying some new classes and seeing similar faces again.”

Josie Stapleton – Gemma’s mother – is also a frequent user of the Portland Centre and said: “The Portland Centre means a lot to the Meadows community and to me personally. I have lived in the area for 40-years and during that time have seen it grow and evolve, much like the community has.

“My children attended the play scheme and learnt to swim at the Portland Centre – as most children in the Meadows do with their primary schools, and now my grandchildren are learning to swim there too. The facility is a vital part of our community and the reopening is hugely anticipated.”

For more information about the Portland Centre, please visit https://www.theportlandcentre.co.uk/.

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