When you've got a strictly finite amount of cash to spend on a dream sports facility, you could be forgiven if the odd detail gets missed off.

Especially when £1.9million is stretched to include new changing facilities, a dance studio, bar area, gym, technology suite - and a climbing wall.

But it is the fine detail that makes the quality of the brand new Oaklands Sports Centre.

Everything is geared towards access for all. Children can get involved in the dance studio from age five, get bouncing in trampoline sessions from age six and can climb their first wall aged eight. There isn't an upper age limit.

People with disabilities will be able to use the facilities independently and the laid-back bar is there to get people to spend more time at the centre.

The finishing touches are currently being put in place ahead of next weekend's big launch when members of the public will finally get to see inside - and have a go.

Sport facility manager Paul Bickle can't wait to see it being used.

He said: "I'm nervously excited. I will be working right up to the opening day first thing in the morning to last thing at night, making sure the training's right for the staff and getting the coaches sorted with uniform and name badges."

It is this painstaking eye to detail that will give every person who uses the facilities the best experience they can possibly have.

All clubs using the complex will be expected to have Clubmark status and all coaches will be asked to be a part of the York Coaching Association.

"That way," added Bickle. "We will know they are all CRB checked and will have had good coaching experience. We want people who come here to know they are dealing with a professional facility - and at the end of the day it's all about our name."

The centre's close connections to the school will give students - especially those not so keen on getting physical - the opportunity to try something new.

And the proof that the centre is fully on message with the school is in the eating of the healthy-only snacks available in the vending machines.

But even though the school will be using the complex during the day, the plan is the centre will be open all day, every day from 7am - just as public swimming pools rope off lanes for school lessons but allow access for others.

"It's going to give them a chance to develop all types of sports up to a high quality standard - from grass roots to professional levels."

The free launch weekend takes place between 10am to 4pm next Saturday and Sunday (September 3 and 4).

Activities include rollerhockey, badminton, trampolining, Thai boxing, street dance, a bouncy castle, tours of the gym and pre-booked one-hour sessions on the climbing walls.

To find out more, call on 01904 552424.


Inclusive is the buzzword for centre

Disabilities will be no barrier at the new Oaklands Sports Centre.

Inclusion is at the heart of the new complex across all spectrums of age and gender to disability.

All counters at the bar and at reception will have dropped down areas.

Space has been maximised with wide corridors and doorways.

Signposts are in easily contrasting colours and are also written in Braille.

Those with hearing impairments can use the in-built hearing loop.

The fitness suite - the piece de resistance - has been specially designed to cater for those with disabilities.

All equipment has been picked so it can be easily converted for wheelchair users with a flick of a button and minimum fuss to a special Inclusive Fitness Initiative standard, with all moveable parts in brightly coloured tags.

As part of the launch weekend a regional disability coach will be taking a session.


WHAT'S NEW

Dance studio - for ballet, breakdancing, creative movement, performance dancing, yoga, pilates, pilates 50+.

Downstairs bar - in the heart of the action with views of sports hall, climbing arena and with Sky Sports plasma screen.

Climbing arena - the jewel in the Oaklands crown will attract those who used to use Barbican but now travel to Leeds and Hull. Several faces of varying difficulty for beginners to expert. Bouldering cave. Nevisport are sponsoring competitions.

Fitness suite - state of the art equipment all easily adaptable for those with disabilities plus wireless TVs at each station.

Changing rooms - fully refurbished plus two upstairs for the dance studio.

Technology suite - 16 PC stations for video analysis overlooks sports hall.

Sports hall - to be resealed but will host badminton, roller hockey, basketball, trampolining and chess among other sports.

Outdoors - two tennis courts, all-weather pitch and grass pitches.