The STAR Hub welcomed the community to discover what it has on offer.
OLYMPIC boxer Joe Cordina marked the official opening of the Star Community Hub today by cutting the ceremonial cake alongside Councillor Peter Bradbury and members of the community.
Councillors Huw Thomas and Peter Bradbury cut the cake with Joe Cortina.
The Star Hub in Splott has been open to the public since September but today’s open day invited residents to explore what’s on offer and celebrate their new community space.
The Commonwealth bronze medallist praised the centre and all the work the staff had done.
“It’s an amazing facility. I have had a look around myself and now it’s great that we have opened it officially,” he said.
The Star Hub incorporates leisure facilities including a 25m swimming pool, a gym, a library and an IT suite. The centre aims to be a one-stop shop for community support, with access to employment advice, training and assistance with housing and benefits issues.
The event was opened by Willows High School choir, followed by brief speeches by some of the people involved in delivering the Star Hub.
Addressing the crowd, Coun Bradbury said: “It’s a fantastic facility that the community really deserves. This wouldn’t have happened without you standing up and telling us you needed a facility like this.”
The ceremonial cake marking the official Star Hub launch.
The new Star Hub was met with scepticism in the planning stages with some residents concerned that the plans would leave the area without an adequate sports hall.
But the then council invested in Willows High School sports hall, which is now open to the public.
Assistant headteacher of Willows, Gareth Ritter, said the school welcomes members of the local area to use their newly refurbished sports hall and changing rooms.
Mr Ritter said: “We are a community focused school and we look forward to sharing our facilities with you all.”
