More than 2,000 people, including the Premier, showed up for the official opening of community sports centre Sandys 360 on Saturday.

The facility, which took 15 years of fund-raising and planning, and 24 months of construction, will finally open its doors to the public this morning. It is equipped with a 25-metre swimming pool, a basketball and volleyball court and a full range of elliptical and weight training equipment. Managing Director Melvyn Bassett told The Royal Gazette: "It has certainly been a dream for us and a labour of love."

The opening ceremony featured guest appearances by the President of the World Council of Churches Bishop Vinton Anderson (the most famous graduate of Sandys Secondary School), as well as Premier Ewart Brown. Also present for the ceremony was Hope Bascome, a woman who graduated from the first class at Sandys Secondary in 1927, and new student Sarabi Dill, who together did the ribbon joining.

Dr. Bassett said: "The ribbon joining ceremony signified the pulling together of all facets of our community youth, seniors, black, white, rich and poor, everybody in fact that is what Sandys 360 is about."

The centre aims to "pull the community together so we can address some of the social issues the Island has that's the vision the trustees have," Dr. Bassett added.

After the ceremony there was a tour of the building, followed by a community day with choirs, dancers, poets and a fashion show.

Sandys 360, located on Broome Street in Sandys, will be used by close to 2,000 students at schools in the west end, including Sandys Secondary Middle School, West End Primary, Somerset Primary, Dalton E. Tucker Primary, Port Royal Primary, Heron Bay School, Purvis Primary and T.N. Tatem Middle School. Membership, however, is open to people throughout the Island, and includes access to the pool from 6.30 a.m. to 10 p.m. and the fitness centre on a 24 hour a day, seven day a week basis.

For more information call Sandys 360 on 234-6195.