A facility which ticks all the boxes – that was how St Albans Mayor, Cllr Annie Brewster, described the new Batchwood Sports Centre and its surroundings at the official opening on Monday.

The Mayor was joined by councillors, officers and other invited guests to the opening of a building which has risen from the ashes of a fire three years ago which completely destroyed the former Batchwood Golf and Tennis Centre.

Most of the opening celebrations had to move inside because of the weather but, as the Mayor pointed out, it was a chance to celebrate the fact that increasing numbers of sports facilities had roofs because of the unreliability of the English weather.

The £6.6 million facility boasts a 48-station gym, strength and conditioning suite, refurbished squash courts, six new indoor and two mini tennis courts. There is also a coffee bar, judo dojo, training facility, dance studio and bar. Thanking everyone from the architects, builders, councillors and officers, Sports England and the Lawn Tennis Association as well as the users, the Mayor said that in its position in parkland, the sports centre rivalled any American country club and sat perfectly side by side with the new golf and bowls clubhouses and relaid bowling green.

She added: “I know people are going to love it and enjoy using it for years to come and I am looking forward to seeing many future champions created in it.”