Pent Valley Leisure Centre’s Outstanding Achievement!

Pent Valley Leisure Centre in Folkestone has been awarded the Inclusive Fitness Initiative’s “Outstanding Achievement” award for 2008.

Pent Valley Centre is an ideal place for International teams to train in the build up to the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. London 2012’s official Pre-Games Training Camp Guide promotes Pent Valley Centre as a facility that can host Boccia, Sitting Volleyball, Wheelchair Basketball, Wheelchair Fencing and Wheelchair Rugby.

Pent Valley Centre is a specialist centre for Paralympic indoor sports and this has been recognised by the recent awards bestowed by Inclusive Fitness Initiative (IFI). 

According to the Fitness industry Association (FIA) there are currently somewhere in the region of 5700 gyms in the UK. However of these 5700, only 220 are currently accredited by the Inclusive Fitness Initiative as being suitably accessible  for people with a disability.

The Centre was successful in winning two of the seven awards, firstly for “Creating Inclusive Environments” which recognises the design facility, and the procedure, policies and marketing that goes into making the Centre accessible to all.

But the crowning glory was the Centre winning the “Outstanding Achievement Award” which is the top honour bestowed and has been held up by the IFI as the Benchmark for all Inclusive Centres in the UK.

Centre Manager, Stuart Wise said “This is a fantastic achievement for all involved with The VLC and recognises the hard work and dedication that is put in by the team to create a fully inclusive centre.”   

Anyone interested in membership, or any of the activities on offer at the VLC should check out the VLC ring the reception on 01303 277539, or better still come into the Centre and have a look around.

Any nations interested in training at Pent Valley Centre, or at other facilities in Kent, should contact Chris.Metherell@kent.gov.uk or visit the venues section of our website