Arson-hit club rises from ashes
A Wyre Forest sports club which was destroyed in an arson attack has been rebuilt at a cost of £1.25 million and will officially be reopened by Olympic gold and silver medallist Darren Campbell next month.
The blaze at Stourport Sports Club, in Kingsway destroyed facilities used by 14 football teams, athletes and netball players, causing damage which was estimated at £1.4 million.
Now a new building has risen from the ashes of the charred remains.
Built originally with Lottery money, the club is jointly run by Wyre Forest District Council, Worcestershire County Council and local clubs and is home to Kidderminster and Stourport Athletics Club and Stourport Hockey Club and is also used by Stourport High School and 30 football clubs.
Since the fire players have been able to use the artificial pitches and temporary changing rooms at Stourport High School.
Club officials saw the re-opening of the clubhouse at the earliest possible moment as critical not only to its finances but also to ensuring continuity of sports facilities in the area.
Andrew Priest, an athletics coach and a member of the Board of Stourport Sports Club, said: "We took over the keys on Friday but the furniture has still to be put in place.
"The official reopening will take place on the weekend of May 16 and May 17 when there will be free athletic, hockey and netball coaching and demonstrations throughout the two days.
"We are obviously delighted that the work on rebuilding the sports club has been completed.
"The insurance paid for the replacement of the building but there was still a £20,000 shortfall because of the equipment that was lost and not insured. We now have a wonderful new building which is going to be a great clubhouse and function venue." Mr Priest said that Darren Campbell had been invited to perform the opening ceremony because he was "a high-profile" athlete.
