Sportspace Hemel Hempstead played a major role in the aftermath of the Buncefield Oil depot explosion at the end of last year.

Rebecca Hemmant, business development manager, based at the site, praised the centre’s staff. “One day they were booking gym sessions, lifeguarding and so on as normal – and then the next they were part of an emergency action plan.

“We are all proud of the way staff responded and the part they played helping our community cope with such a devastating event.”

Sportspace Hemel Hempstead, the largest site managed by Dacorum Sports Trust, became the main reception centre for evacuees, businesses and representatives of the national and international media.

The centre hosted public and business meetings which more than 3,000 people attended and evacuees were given food and drink and other emergency supplies at the centre.

Staff were on 24-hour standby over the entire period and helped by getting the rooms ready for the meetings and providing security at them, collecting sleeping bags, towels, toothpaste and other supplies from around the borough, providing transport, distributing clothing and cleaning up after the whole episode.

The action plan alert lasted five days.

“It was amazing, because the normal business of the centre continued as usual, so we had people in the queue with badminton rackets next to people who were worried about losing their homes or their livelihoods,” said Hemmant.

“The whole experience was remarkable as the community dealt with issues together, in a positive manner and in a relatively short period of time.”