The University of Hull is holding an open day today (3 November) to officially launch the Cottingham Road Sports Centre, which has recently gained Inclusive Fitness Initiative (IFI) status following a £750,000 refurbishment.

The launch aims to make organisations working in support of those with disabilities more familiar with the inclusive facilities on offer and encourage those with disabilities to participate in fitness activities.

The open day includes tours of the 55-station fitness suite, speeches by the head of sport for Hull University Union and a member of the IFI Board and a Boccia demonstration – a competitive game, which can be enjoyed by people of all ages and with a wide range of disabilities, where players throw or bowl balls as close as possible to a target ball.

The fitness centre – which features equipment by Technogym and Cybex – has been adapted to provide improved access, inclusive fitness equipment and fully trained staff, along with disabled showers, toilets and washrooms linked to the gym and two saunas. There is also an area for guide dogs.

Nick Clarke, sports centre duty manager, said: “The inclusive facilities are an important step towards breaking barriers in fitness and they show evidence of how our team has developed support for those who are disabled in some way by providing a safe means of exercising.”

In addition to the gym, the 870sq m (9,350sq ft) sports centre features an aerobics studio, a multi-purpose main hall, six squash courts, several outdoor rugby and football pitches and two lecture areas.

In December, the centre will be opening two new 3G artificial pitches.

Memberships mainly consist of students and staff from the university, with a small number of public members.

IFI memberships have increased since the centre received its accreditation in June and Clarke hopes to have 40 IFI members by the end of the year.

The day was opened by Ed Jones, patron of the Hull University Fitness Centre.

Jones has been training at the suite for the last five years and has recently won bronze medals in the 200 and 400 metre races at the Cerebal Palsy IRSA World Games in Connecticut, US.

The centre is owned by the University of Hull and operated by the University Union. Details: www.hull.ac.uk