Soames Calls For More Outdoor Gyms

Nicholas Soames MP has been trying for some time to see the creation of more outdoor gyms in Burgess Hill, East Grinstead and Haywards Heath.

Nicholas Soames said; “Following a meeting with the Leader of Mid Sussex District Council, Councillor Garry Wall, (the former Cabinet Member for Leisure and Sustainability), and a family in Haywards Heath who wrote to me to express that they are very keen to see this happen, the District Council are investigating how they might move ahead with this.

“Outdoor gyms are a brilliantly useful and accessible way of taking exercise for the whole family and they would be very good to have on school playing fields. Yesterday, I raised the issue on the floor of the House with the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families during oral questions”.

Mr. Nicholas Soames (Mid-Sussex) (Con): Is the Minister aware of the increasing use of outdoor gyms to enable people to use outdoor facilities more often? Will he encourage schools and local authorities to set about entering into partnerships to have more of those facilities, so that more people can use them?

Mr. Wright [Parliamentary Under Secretary of State]: The hon. Gentleman makes an incredibly important point. We are keen to ensure that partnership and collaborative work takes place to ensure that every single young person in school has the opportunity to have 21st-century sport and recreational facilities. The hon. Gentleman's suggestions have been taken on board, and I want to work with him and other Members from around the House to ensure that his vision is realised.

Hansard Volume 507

Monday 9th March 2010

Col 3