A new £7 million wellness centre has opened in Loughton.
Spurs legend Ledley King was on hand for the official ribbon-cutting ceremony at the new Epping Forest Wellness Centre.
More than 200 guests toured the multi-million pound facility and had discussions with resident personal trainers, as well as enjoying an exhibition basketball game by the London Lions Pro Women’s team.
In a short address to the group, former Tottenham Hotspur captain Ledley King said: "Sport and recreation are a big part of many young people's journeys through to adulthood.
"Centres like this really help to provide the community with the highest quality facilities in a safe space.
"My hope is that this centre will help to build a healthier, stronger, and more connected community, where the pursuit of fitness becomes a shared endeavour that transcends age, background, and ability.”
Other guests at the launch event included an array of local councillors including Town Mayor of Loughton Cllr Michael Stubbing, Cllr Carol Davies of Fairmead Ward, Cllr Barbara Cohen of St Mary’s Ward and Cllr David Wixley of Roding Ward, amongst others.
Mary Vine-Morris MBE, director at London Region, Association of Colleges, also attended.
The Epping Wellness Centre is the latest New City Fitness Centre, an initiative by New City College, with a similar fitness facility in Hoxton.
Janet Smith, New City College principal said: “Epping Forest campus has a highly successful and expanding sports provision.
"We have a highly successful partnership with Tottenham Hotspur Football Club and many graduates from that programme are now working as Spurs coaches around the world.
"We are developing the instructors of the future through our own NCC facilities, and staff here are graduates of our sports programme."
The Epping Forest Wellness Centre also houses a café and offers a sweeping view of the neighbouring park.
The state-of-art facility boasts a full basketball court, badminton courts, an Olympic free weights section, a dance and fitness studio, a treatment room for sports treatments, and changing facilities.
The centre is open to the public from 8am-10pm from Monday to Friday, and 9am-6pm on weekends and membership starts at £24.99.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here