Kent Sport celebrated the completion of a £4.8 million upgrade of its facilities and programmes with sixty VIPs on 25 September 2013. The occasion was marked with the unveiling of a special plaque by nine times World and European Champion and University of Kent alumni, Wayne Otto.
Sport has always been important at the University of Kent and this has been reflected in Kent Sport’s growth over the years. With ever increasing student and staff numbers on the Canterbury campus since the 1960s it has been important to expand the sport and fitness opportunities and provide a wide range of activities for all.
Exercise can benefit a person’s lifestyle in so many ways and recent research by BUCS has demonstrated that participation in sports while at University can lead to improved employment prospects. Determined to enable more people to be more active, more often, Kent Sport is now a first rate sports complex available not just to students, staff and alumni but to members of the community too.
Graham Holmes, Director of Sport at the University of Kent said, “The completion of the new state of the art facilities further improves the already excellent sporting provision that we have here at Kent. I am delighted to reach this important milestone, which is part of an ongoing long-term plan to continue developing the sport/fitness facilities and programmes here. We are proud that our facilities have been used by such successful champions as Wayne Otto and we are pleased to continue to support aspiring athletes as well as opening our doors to everyone with an interest in sport and fitness.”
Speaking at the unveiling ceremony, Mr Otto said: ‘I thoroughly enjoyed my experience while studying at Kent and even back then I had access to sporting facilities which helped me progress in my chosen sport. However, seeing the facilities available now is quite incredible. I’m delighted to see how far the provision has come and the opportunities for students and aspiring young athletes to excel in sport.’
Kent Sport’s new fitness suite has state of the art equipment and three distinct areas for cardio and resistance, rehabilitation and strength and conditioning training and is linked to a new physiotherapy clinic. The new studios offer a perfect setting for the wide variety of fitness and dance classes. Along with the indoor tennis and netball centre, the three large sports halls and the outdoor pitches provide opportunity for a wide range of sports.
For further details visit the Sports Centre of Pavilion reception on the Canterbury campus or see www.kent.ac.uk/sports.