Catmose Sports Centre will close to the public at the end of today. The facility in Oakham opened 13 years ago. Rutland County Councillors voted not to renew the contract to Stevenage Leisure, who've operated it since the start, saying they couldn't continue to subsidise the facility as they had been doing since the pandemic.
It's still unclear where all the community clubs and classes will go. Some have found new homes at other facilities such as Oakham School and the Active Rutland Hub. Vanessa and Rachel, who work there, say there's a strong community that's built up over the years.
"The people that come to the gym, it's just been amazing to see how much fun and how rewarding it is for them, and how it's helped their health and their wellbeing, their mental health especially.
It's a very female friendly gym as well, gyms can be quite intimidating for females, but there is nobody here that would tell you that, I don't think. Everybody has really enjoyed it. It's just a big family really now. So many people I know here. They've just created friendships through here and now they've got their own little circles. They meet up for coffee and this is members of staff as well as members of the gym.
It's got such a community feel. I think it is going to be such a loss."
The new Rutland Hub next to Oakham Baptist Church is only part of their expansion. It was officially opened yesterday by MP Alicia Kearns and sees offices from the church move in as well as spaces for the community to use and a cafe.
Northamptonshire police are appealing for witnesses after a series of burglaries, which they believe are all linked around the A43 between Kettering and Stamford.
Around 650 athletes began a swim at first light and are taking part in three laps of Rutland Water's roads this morning by bike before they run a half marathon in the annual Vitruvian Triathlon.
Road closures are in place in Stamford this morning on Broad Street, Star Lane and Red Lion Street for the annual Battle of Britain Parade and Service and will continue until lunchtime.
As part of the Rutland Day celebrations yesterday, there was an event at Oakham Castle which saw reenactors from the Ferrars' household along with local stalls, a Maker's market, a history tour and the Special Multum Gin Parvo Rutland Cocktail and Rutland Pippin were also on offer.
After a 37 year wait there was an all-female podium at Defender Burghley Horse Trails in Stamford which annually welcomes over 170,00 visitors across the four day event.
Weekend sports round up
