Ten things that have happened since the UoB’s Sport and Fitness centre was supposed to open and when it will open

Since the approved opening date of the £55 million University of Birmingham brand new sports centre (July 2016), and the date it will open (22^nd May 2017), a lot has happened. It has been 304 days, 7,296 hours, 437,760 minutes, but what 10 most memorable things have happened between the proposed date and the actual opening date of the 360 sport and fitness centre? A hell of a lot:

Brexit

The last time the UK had a referendum for the continued membership of the European Union was 1975, and it happened again in 2016. 51.9% of the UK voted to leave the European Union, and we will leave after PM Theresa May triggered Article 50 (on March 29^th 2017). So whilst the 360 Gym was being built, history was being made.

Trump

Yes Donald Trump became the first misogynistic, adulterous, racially offensive, celebrity apprentice owning, toupee wearing, bigoted billionaire to win the US Presidential Election. The 45^th President began his term on January 20^th 2017. The 360 Gym was missed as International American students begged for yoga classes to consider how this happened.

Oscars cock-up

As the New Gym was being built, Oscar history was being made, for all the wrong reasons. After a long night of awards being handed out, emotional speeches, and a feud between host Jimmy Kimmel and Matt Damon, the final (and most important) award of the night ‘Best Picture’ was up. The 2017 Oscar attendees waited to hear who had won the big one. The presenters of the award Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway announced (the favourite) La La Land as the winner. But, Jordan Horowitz (a producer of La La Land), announced that the real winner was Moonlight, leading to a full stage of confused Hollywood Stars, a shocked Moonlight cast, and a laugh for all of us that made us forget the worries of having no new gym.

An Annular Eclipse

On February 26^th 2017, we awoke to the news that an annular solar eclipse was taking place. Amazingly, since gymgate space history has also been made as the next visible solar eclipse in the UK won’t take place until 12^th August 2026, I hope the gym is finished by then.

Messi scored 47 goals (as of 23 April 2017)

https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/football/3396975/real-madrid-barcelona-lionel-messi-celebration/

Messi leads the race for the European Golden Shoe with this impressive tally of goals. So when the gym does open we may all give ‘leg day’ a go.

Ed Sheeran’s Divide has sold 1.4 million copies (as of 04 April 2017)

During this time, Ed has managed to dominate the music world with Divide. Topping the album charts in 14 countries, and making the album the quickest selling from a solo male artist ever.

Claudio Ranieri sacked

Just 9 months after achieving the impossible and leading Leicester FC to the Premiership title, manager Claudio Ranieri was sacked by the board. He had achieved a 5,000-1 miracle, however the foxes 2016-17 campaign left them in relegation and the Italian was sacked on 23^rd February 2017. Ranieri said in a later interview his ‘dream had died’, I wonder if he was talking about the prolonged opening date of the new gym?

Boris Johnson became Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs

On the 13th July 2016, our worst nightmares were confirmed as buffoonery expert Boris Johnson became Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs. As we head towards post-Brexit land, Boris will be at the front line of key negotiation deals, and the new gym still remains closed.

A General Election has been announced. “Not another one”

Sigh. Do sign up to vote though. Will the gym be open before the next general election (8^th June 2017), let the race begin.

9 months of Munrow

In this time gap, we have been stuck in the creaky doored, locker smashed, cesspit of Munrow. We love it really, but, I think it is time to cut the ribbon and finally open the New 360 Sports centre.