SPORTS facilities costing millions of pounds are on their way to Uppingham after building work got under way.
Uppingham School is behind the project but will open up the new sports centre to residents, sports clubs and other schools in the area.
The school hopes work at the site between Leicester Road and Stockerston Road on the edge of the town will be com
pleted by the end of next year with facilities open to the public by spring 2011.
The sports centre, being built alongside new tennis, netball, rugby and athletics facilities, will include a sports hall, swimming pool, fitness suite, gym, squash courts and dance studios.
Uppingham School bursar Stephen Taylor said: "We are delighted that this exciting initiative is now under way and we are convinced it will be a fantastic facility for the use of the whole community in and around Uppingham.
"In spite of the current global economic situation, the school is starting on this project from a strong position.
"Successful fundraising and low interest rates have allowed the school to embark on this ambitious development with a degree of confidence running counter to the UK recession."
The area around the building will be transformed by tree planting, car parking and landscaping.
Plans and elevations of the new building can be seen on the Sports and The Arts section of the school website www.uppingham.co.uk.
When the proposal for a new sports centre was anounced last year, Mr Taylor said the school's existing sports centre had become outdated.
He said: "The existing sports centre is already accessible to sports clubs and members of the public but becaue it is old and doesn't have good changing facilities the use is limited."
