Watford’s only purpose-built gymnasium is now fully operational after a £50,000 grant to carry on the Olympic legacy.

An empty warehouse in the Greycaine Industrial Estate, off Bushey Mill Lane, has been transformed into a brand new state-of-the-art gymnastics facility following the lottery cash boost from Sport England’s Inspired Facilities fund.

Watford Observer:

The new gym for Dolphina Gymnastics Club features a permanent sprung floor to help the gymnasts train for summersaults and tumbles, as well as a dance studio and viewing gallery.

The club’s Danny Kett said the impressive gym was needed to match the calibre of the club’s athletes - who represent both at a regional level and as part of the national gymnastics squad.

He said: "Everyone absolutely loves it. We have managed to set up a lot more training hours and can run more classes now we have our own purpose-built facility.

"It would have taken us a long time to get the £50,000 without this grant.

"We are the only purpose-built gym in Watford, and we were built to carry on the Olympic legacy - it’s great to see."

Dolphina was awarded the grant last year as part of efforts to bolster sporting achievement in the wake the London Olympics.

Previously Dolphina trained at Woodside Leisure Centre, but is seeing an influx of new members now it has its own top notch training facility.

Mr Kett said it was good the club could now accommodate people interested in learning gymnastics.

The new gym has had a few setbacks since the conversion was finished in February earlier this year - including a roof leak - but Mr Kett said everything is back on track now.

Mr Kett continued: "We’ve had a few hard times. We had rain going through the roof, which we are just getting over.

"It’s been harder than it needed to be, but we are making a move back."

Sport England awarded the £50,000 grant to Dolphina in August last year.

Chair Nick Bitel said the club plays a vital role in grassroots sport and that the National Lottery investment is helping us deliver a lasting sporting legacy in Hertfordshire.