ARTICLES It’s all Go for the new LSF Sports facility For many years the main school halls on campus were used as gymnasiums and in 1959, following successful fundraising efforts, a new purpose built gymnasium, to enhance the provision of physical education, was built at Loughborough High School (LHS). An article from November 1959 written upon the opening, notes: ‘on a tour of inspection guests admired the spacious kit-room, changing-room and showers (which have not been used since the Town Council drew attention to the shortage of water and the need for economy) before entering the gymnasium itself, a large, well-lighted building with the latest apparatus which girls of the school demonstrated under supervision of the games mistresses, Miss M Potts and Mrs E Toone.’ 60 years on, and the vision for sport across Loughborough Schools Foundation (LSF) continually evolves to promote participation, engagement, variety, competitive success and overall fitness. The current Governors committed to the development of a brand new facility, refurbishing the former High School gymnasium into a dance studio and fitness suite, and adding a multi-use sports hall. In 2018 the #getsetgo Girls Sports Facility Appeal was launched to purchase equipment for this exciting new facility, and it is thanks to a number of donors that the fundraising goal was achieved. The Foundation even received a substantial legacy from Miss Sheila Parkin, a former pupil of Loughborough High School, which enabled us to cross the finish line, and reach the overall target of £168,500 for the equipment. It is for this reason that the new facility is called the ‘Parkin Sports Centre’. Many alumnae upon reunion tours have recalled ‘the smell of the old gym’ and ‘using the freezing cold communal showers’. I wonder what those of you who remember shimmying up the ropes and vaulting over the ‘horse’ will make of the extensive sports hall, new weights areas, and the treadmills and spin bikes! Jo Hackett, Director of Sport at LSF notes: ‘the Parkin Sports Centre is a superb indoor sports facility for the Foundation, offering a first-class playing area where our students are able to develop their skills. The sports hall has been used already for a range of activities, as well as competitions from indoor hockey, netball and badminton, through to aerobics, trampolining and Zumba. The fitness suite and studio provides a modern and extensive strength and conditioning suite as well as a purpose-built studio for dance, fitness classes, such as spin and circuits and many other activities.’ The Parkin Sports Centre will be opened officially later this academic year when COVID-19 restrictions allow. If you wish to find out more about future fundraising initiatives, how to support the Foundation or about leaving a gift to your School in your will please do contact us in the Development Office at development@lsf.org
10
