TWO new recreational areas on the Eggar’s School 30-acre site have been officially opened by Alton mayor Dean Phillips.

Thanks to a £5,000 donation from the Tesco Bags of Help community scheme, the school has been able to build a pavilion in the grounds.

Eggar’s community liaison officer Sarah McKenzie said: “Our close links to local primary schools and Treloar College, who regularly come to our site for curriculum-enriching lessons and activities, prompted us to think about a new outdoor dining and social area that could be used all year round.”

Mrs McKenzie co-ordinated the project and was able to access £5,000 from the Tesco scheme, while site manager Dave Webb teamed up with Bob Nash, from Bob’s Sheds and Gates, to design and build the impressive new structure over the summer holidays.

According to Mrs McKenzie, Year 7 students were asked to come up with a name as the structure sits in the area of the school specifically designated for that year group.

The Pavilion was chosen from 55 suggestions, which included The 120 and The Happy Hut.

Tesco’s two local community champions, Julie Shepherd (Basingstoke) and Fi Edwards (Bordon), were excited to see the result of the scheme, and Fi said: “We were delighted to attend the opening of the pavilion, and to celebrate with the team that had made this possible.

“It is immensely satisfying to see what the Bags of Help scheme can enable people to achieve. We would promote this to any organisation looking for funds for a project."

The second ribbon cut by the mayor was for the new fitness trail supplied by Fresh Air Fitness after the school received an £8,000 Big Lottery Grant.

Durable and easy to use, the five different pieces of gym equipment sit in a specially prepared area just outside the school’s tennis courts. There is one single station and four double stations, meaning nine students can work out at any one time.

Mrs McKenzie said: “The equipment has already been a big hit before, during and after PE lessons. In fact, two students were recently seen exercising their bodies and brains at their same time.”

Tom Willock, business development manager for Fresh Air Fitness, said: “As a school local to the company, it was wonderful to be at Eggar’s for the grand opening of their new outdoor gym – and great to see the equipment already being used so enthusiastically by both students and staff.”

Guests joining the town mayor at the two ceremonies included local district councillor Glynis Watts, headteacher Patrick Sullivan, chairman of governors Lisa Hillan, community liaison officer Sarah McKenzie, PTA chairman Sam Warfield, Tom Willock of Fresh Air Fitness, Tesco community champions Julie Shepherd and Fi Edwards, and Eggar’s site manager Dave Webb.