Open day set to be star-studded
More celebrity guests have been confirmed to join Dancing on Ice star Ray Quinn at the official opening of Sapphire Ice and Leisure.
Colin Jackson CBE will join Ray on Saturday 3 February to welcome visitors to the centre as it opens its doors for the first time. The former Olympic hurdler will be putting his abilities to the test in the new 100-station gym and setting visitors a series of fitness challenges.
Ray will demonstrate his award-winning skating skills at 10.30am before some of the county’s top figure skaters take to the ice at 1pm to showcase their talents, including five-time British champion, Graham Newberry and two-time British junior champion, Kristen Spours.
This is the second leisure facility in the borough that Colin Jackson has helped to launch, having previously cut the ribbon at Central Park when it opened its doors in 2003. He will be joining representatives of Havering Council and Everyone Active to welcome local residents to a day of free family fun.
A variety of free activities will be hosted from 9.30am – 10pm. Visitors will have the opportunity to get their skates on for sessions on the new ice rink, as well as join in with family fun swims and exercises sessions. There will also be face painting and balloon modelling for younger children.
The Raiders will play their first game at their new home from 4pm – 9pm, before an ice disco gets underway from 9pm – 10pm.
Councillor Melvin Wallace, Cabinet Member for Culture and Community Engagement, said: “Having Colin Jackson and Ray Quinn open our long-awaited facility is great news, I encourage residents to come down on the day which will be filled with activities. The health and wellbeing of our residents is a priority for the Council and this facility is great for the future of sport and leisure in Havering.”
Steve Cox, Everyone Active’s area contract manager, said: “It will be fantastic to have Colin, Graham and Kristen joining Ray at the event. As athletes, they know how important it is that communities are given access to top-class leisure facilities.
“We are looking forward to welcoming everyone to the centre for the event, it will be a fantastic day and a great opportunity to try out all the brilliant facilities on offer at Sapphire Ice and Leisure.”
More details about the open day will be announced shortly. Find out more about the centre