Olympic champion Greg Rutherford & TV star Mark Wright help save sports centre from closure as thousands sign petition
A STRUGGLING community sports facility in Somerset has been given an ‘Olympic Overhaul’ with the help of Olympian Greg Rutherford and TV star Mark Wright.
They visited the Yeovil Athletics Arena, alongside Team GB swimmer James Guy and ParalympicsGB athlete Aled Davies, which was on the verge of closure earlier this year due to financial pressures.
Almost 15,000 locals signed a petition to save the club due to being left on the brink as part of efforts by Somerset County Council to save £100 million.
British Gas responded by implementing high-tech, energy-efficient upgrades that not only secured the club’s future but also significantly reduced its operating costs.
It comes after research of 2,000 adults found 88 per cent consider their local sports hub a fundamental part of their community.
But 35 per cent believe theirs is ‘outdated’, and 41 per cent worry it could be shut down without further funding.
The transformation is part of the brand’s broader effort of ‘Powering Home Fans’, a purpose-driven initiative launched in the run-up to the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Through their long-term partnership with Team GB and ParalympicsGB, the energy provider is looking to drive positive change in local communities by promoting sustainable energy use and supporting communities through sport.
Speaking at the revamped club, British Gas project ambassador Mark Wright said: “It’s fantastic to see this sporting facility get a much-needed refresh.
“These places are crucial for physical and mental health and bring people together.
“With the Olympic and Paralympic Games around the corner, these upgraded facilities will inspire young people to pursue their dreams of competing at an elite level.”
The recent enhancements to the club’s facilities, encompassing the installation of new solar panels, improved insulation, new doors and windows, external cladding – and a comprehensive makeover of the clubhouse, bathrooms, and changing rooms, have transformed it into a modern, sustainable, accessible and future-proof hub.
These upgrades are projected to save up to 10 tonnes of carbon annually – equivalent to the carbon footprint of approximately 200 Olympic-sized swimming pools, while significantly reducing maintenance and running costs, ensuring the club’s sustainability for years to come.
Research also revealed common phrases respondents used to describe local facilities – which included ‘tired’, ‘dated’, and ‘run down’ – by those who considered their local facilities past their best.
Despite this, locals use them an average of six times a month, believing them to promote physical health, developing youth, and encouraging local interaction.
The average Brit has experienced at least one sports facility close in their area in the last five years – with six in 10 believing that facilities should be receiving more funding.
Swimming, walking, and football were the most engaged sports and activities according to the survey carried out via OnePoll.
While 21 per cent would like to see a pool opened in their area, as well as a multi-purpose complex or tennis courts.
Maintenance costs, government funding cuts, and financial pressures on local authorities were viewed as the biggest challenges facing sporting facilities across the UK.
Hamish Phillips, from British Gas, added: “Our research highlighted a clear need for support in local sports facilities.
“By stepping in to save Yeovil Olympiads, we’ve not only ensured its future but also showcased the substantial benefits of sustainability.
“We know how important sports facilities are to local communities and, through our Energy for Tomorrow fund, we will be investing £1 million over the next few years in upgrading these facilities and helping them become more sustainable with lower energy costs.”