A group of local fitness enthusiasts and former members of Catmose Sports Centre are hoping to launch a community fitness centre following the controversial closure of the Huntsman's Drive facility.

A self-sustaining, community, exercise co-operative for Oakham and the surrounding area, Oakham Co-operative Fitness will "prioritise creating a community with healthy minds and bodies". 

Following the announcement that Catmose Sports Centre would close on 31 May, a group of local fitness enthusiasts have come together with the intention of launching a member-owned fitness space in Rutland's county town.

Now, the group have set up a fundraiser to kick start this concept, and have so far raised £3,792 of their £7,500 target, giving their dreams of a community fitness space a running start.

The organisers explained: "The team behind this project are all Catmose Sports Centre members. Catmose is not just a gym or a sports centre; it is a community that looks out for each other and provides multiple roots to wellness. As a group, we are devastated by the decision to close Catmose Sports Centre, but we have decided to take matters into our own hands.

"We cannot replicate everything that made Catmose an amazing space but there are elements of the offer that we believe can be supported through a community run fitness co-operative. Oakham Co-Operative Fitness will take the fate of our amazing community, and the health and wellbeing of our members, out of the control of county council decisions and allow the community itself to build something sustainable on our own terms, that cannot be at risk of budget cuts.

"What will we offer?

"Oakham Co-Operative Fitness will deliver group fitness classes in a community space. We know that the social aspect of exercise classes is really important so we will provide a designated space, where the community can come together around class; we will explore options to allow personal workouts. In addition, our instructors will be able to offer PT and sports massage from our venue. 

"Why do we need your help?

"We have identified premises in Oakham and have developed a business plan to create a self-sustaining fitness centre that should not need further financial input once it is up and running. What we do need is start-up funding to get us off the ground! We need to pay to convert a space to make it suitable for us (thinking lighting, sound, toilets and furniture) and then we need to fill that space with the things we need (think weights, steps, mats and spin bikes). 

"In our dream scenario we would open the new centre with c. £58,000 of investment, this would allow us to create an amazing space with everything we need. BUT we can also open something that would work with just £15,000. We are working to secure investors, donors and grants and are looking to raise at least £7.5k through the Go Fund Me page by 3 June. Anything you can give will help us get there! Whether it is £5 or £50 whatever you can spare can help us make this real!"

The group have set themselves a deadline of 3 June, today, to raise the funds.

You can support the cause here.