Olympic rowing gold medal winner Sir Steve Redgrave also attends opening

Gleeds’ education advisory arm Cocentra has attended Barnsley to celebrate the success of the openings of Barnsley Building Schools for the Future (BSF). The firm worked as technical and education advisers on the scheme since 2007.

Also attending was the consultant’s global ambassador, Olympic rowing legend Sir Steve Redgrave. The five times gold medal winner visited Darton Community College to help celebrate the formal opening where he joined other speakers in congratulating the college community on its transformation and development into a leading edge educational facility.

Redgrave said: “I was delighted to visit Barnsley, spending time with children who clearly enjoy sport and physical activities is very important to me as someone who is committed to  the development of enhanced sports facilities in schools and colleges.

“I had a great day and it made me remember my own time at school when I first took up rowing. Without that experience at that important time of my life I would never have competed as an Olympian.”

Steve Davies, managing director of Cocentra, said: “Barnsley is unique within the national school building programme, delivering new buildings for all of the secondary and special schools in the borough.

“Hence we were delighted that Sir Steve could find time in his busy schedule to mark the occasion and spend some time in Barnsley. Working with such an ambitious Council, committed officers and school staff has been extremely exciting and rewarding.”

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