OLYMPIC swimming hero Adam Peaty opened the £9m state-of-the-art Holly Hill Leisure Centre and admitted: “Although it might be hard to believe, I was actually scared of water when I was younger.” Adam, who triumphed at the Rio Olympics by winning Team GB’s first gold medal in the 100m breaststroke breaking his world record set the day before, was acutely afraid of being bathed as a young boy.
The 21-year-old super star was full of praise for the showpiece centre in Sarisbury which boasts a 25-metre pool with 6 lanes and a learner pool, gym, spinning room and dance centre. In a landmark day for Fareham Borough, he told guests: “I know how important it is that we educate more people about the health and safety benefits of swimming, especially those who live in coastal areas such as Fareham. “I think the pool here at Holly Hill Leisure Centre will go a long way in helping to do that. “It’s also at local pools like these where future athletes are discovered and, for me, it’s very exciting to think that could happen here at Holly Hill.”
A plaque was unveiled at the centre by Adam and the Mayor of Fareham, Councillor Connie Hockley. Fareham Council Leader Seán Woodward said: “This is the delivery of my longest standing pledge, made over 25 years ago, and I am so grateful to all those who made it possible. “It is the culmination of a project which began after our suggestion, strongly supported by residents, that we needed another swimming pool in the Borough.” Over 2,000 people have signed up for membership and the centre is open to all. Fareham’s Conservative-run Council has also provided new sports pitches near the leisure centre, worked with volunteers to improve the woodland and lake and has also agreed a £130,000 multi-use games area which will be provided in the new year