McAyla marks the start of new Arena building (From Worcester News)

McAyla marks the start of new Arena building

12:30pm Saturday 4th February 2012 in News

BRAVE schoolgirl McAyla Johnston kick-started the piling process and laying of foundations at the Worcester Arena yesterday.

The 14-year-old was joined at the site of the former fruit and vegetable market in Hylton Road with university staff and Worcester MP Robin Walker as the foundations were laid for the state-of-the-art £10 million facility, which is being developed by the University of Worcester.

McAyla, who plays for the Worcester Wolves’ wheelchair basketball squad and will be among those using the arena when it is completed, said: “I’m very excited and cannot wait for it to be built.

“If I’m able to use it, I will use it every day.

“It will bring a whole new generation of kids and adults to come and play.

“It’s a good thing for Worcester to have this because it’s giving able and disabled people the chance to use it.”

Announcing the start of the process, Mick Donovan, head of the institute of sport and exercise science at the University of Worcester, said it was a “big moment” and said when the arena opens in 12 months’ time it will be “an even bigger moment to celebrate”.

Mr Donovan said: “I think today is symbolic becasue after a lot of work and a big challenge over the years to get it built, today means we’re actually going to do it and in the future, Worcester will have a first class sports arena.”

Speaking about the arena, Mr Donovan said he believes the centre will become a national centre for the teaching and coaching of disabled athletes because a lot of disabled governing bodies have heard of the facilities.

“A number of people are going to benefit from it, both able-bodied and disabled, who will be able to come and watch sports as well,” he said.

“Instead of having to travel to Birmingham or the south, it brings everything under one roof to a city that’s got a growing reputation for sport.”

Mr Walker said: “With this and the new library and the Asda and St Martin’s Quarter, there’s a huge amount going on and it’s hugley exciting and very positive.

“Hopefully we will become a city that draws people in and engages people and sport is one of the ways to do that.”