Hard work pays off at new Wem gym
It was a day of celebration in Wem when the new fitness suite - funded by the community - was officially opened by the town's mayor.
The Wem Swimming & Lifestyle Centre threw open its doors at just gone 11am on Saturday for eager fitness fans to take a peek inside.
To fund the build, the board of trustees raised £150,000 selling community shares, securing grants and receiving donations.
Cadi Price, chair of the trustees was delighted at how the new fitness space had been received and was keen for all to find out just what is on offer.
"There are 13 stations inside, as well as treadmills, rowing machines, cardio and cross trainers," she said.
"It really is for all of the community to use. They can either become a member or just use it as and when. Since May we have had 90 new members and we even had two more on opening day."
The gym is adjacent to the swimming pool, which is also community run.
Cadi added: "We raised the money in a number of ways. We sold community shares for £50 each, we had funding from Sports England and the Meres and Mosses Housing Association. We had funding for the equipment from the Hilton Jones Trust and also had money from Wem Rural Parish Council and Wem and District Rotary.
"It took us 12 months to raise the money and then the building work started in January.
"We are so pleased with how it looks and it was great that Councillor Connie Granger came along to officially open it for us."
But this is not it for the centre as Cadi has more plans in the pipeline.
"We would like to build a fitness studio at some point in the future," she added.
