Physio firm’s fears as Thornes Park Stadium remains closed

Therasport treatment centre has been open at the park for over 23 years, offering treatment for  regular civilians up to professional rugby players and Olympic athletes.

But the recent arson attack at Thornes Park Stadium has meant the building will now be closed for at least 12 weeks.

Run by 51-year-old Garry Slade and his former wife, Eva, they also have a clinic in Huddersfield as well as Thornes Park, but fear their list of clients will diminish the longer the Wakefield centre remains shut.

Garry, a former head physio at several Rugby League clubs, including Wakefield Trinity, said: “There is talk about letting the gymnasts back in, but it could be another three or four months after that for us. The problem we have is that we are losing clients.

”We are contracted to insurance companies and they need clients to be seen in 24 or 48 hours, and if we can’t offer that service they will just go to the next clinic. We can’t rush it, we need parking and disabled access toilets, but the longer we leave it, the more clients we’ll lose. We are looking for a temporary location but as a rehab centre, we’ve always needed space and the track and gym at Thornes Park was an ideal location.”

Meanwhile, Wakefield Council hopes to partially reopen the stadium, including part of the main sports hall, at the end of May to help minimise disruption.

However, the Aspire gym, spinning and activity room on the first floor, which sustained the most damage, will remain shut for the foreseeable future.

Anyone with ideas on where Therasport can relocate to can call Garry on 07798 683154.