Witney News - West Oxon leisure centres start Olympic countdown

West Oxon leisure centres start Olympic countdown

West Oxfordshire District Council’s leisure centres will be holding open days next weekend (July 23-24) to help mark the one-year countdown to the 2012 Olympics.

Different activities, including some inspired by the Olympic and Paralympic Games, will be on offer at the leisure centres in Carterton, Chipping Norton and The Windrush, Witney.

Activities will be available for all ages at special rates as the leisure centres open their doors for the official start of the official countdown to the London Games. Events are happening nationwide as part of the celebration running from Friday 22 July to Sunday 24 July.

Sessions will vary from centre to centre, including:

· Carterton Leisure Centre, Saturday 23 July, 10am-4pm - swimming, kettle bell taster classes, face painting, gym challenges and more.
· Chipping Norton Leisure Centre, Saturday 23 July, 12 noon to 4pm – racquet sports, swimming, gym challenges, ‘Tiger Tots’ play sessions and barbecue, plus more.
· The Windrush Leisure Centre, Witney, Saturday 23 and Sunday 24 July, 10am to 4pm – dodgeball, mini football, fencing, cheerleading, zumba, swimming and boccia, and other activities.

Cllr Richard Langridge, the District Council’s Cabinet Member for Local Economy and Communities, said: “We’re very proud in West Oxfordshire to be supporting the Olympic and Paralympic Games and helping to celebrate the beginning of the official countdown. The London 2012 Olympics will really put a spotlight on different sports and we hope will encourage people to give new things a try. This is a great opportunity to come down to the leisure centres and find out about what they have to offer to all our residents – you might just be surprised!”

Leisure facilities in West Oxfordshire are run by the Council’s leisure contractor Nexus Community.

Ben Border, Partnership Manager for Nexus in West Oxfordshire, said: “As a leisure provider, we have some involvement in assisting in the training of Olympic competitors and will be watching the Games very closely. We are hoping to be putting on different events like the open days in the run up to, and during, the Games to give local people the chance to get involved.”

For more information about the open days, contact the leisure centres on:

Carterton: 01993 861981
Chipping Norton: 01993 861951
The Windrush: 01993 202020