Back in November last year, Frances Bourn from the ‘Friends of East Cowes’ made a presentation to the Town Council calling for their support in creating an Open Air Gym.
The presentation, made with support from Louise Gray, Physical Activity Lead for the Health Improvement Team for the Island Public Health, outlined the strong desire and need to create an Open Air Gym similar to those in other areas around the country and in Europe.
Appeal for financial support
Frances is now calling upon Margaret Webster, as chair of the Health & Community Wellbeing Scrutiny Committee and county councillor for the area, to support the request for the town council to cover the costs of Insurance and Maintenance costs for the outdoor Gym.
A site for the Open Air Gym has already been approved by the Police and as well as costs for set-up and maintenance being presented, figures demonstrating the prevalence of obesity in the East Cowes environs was revealed to the town council.
Frances explains in a letter to Cllr Webster that “It is proven that fitness can improve life expectancy, can help alleviate mental health problems, agility in the elderly, obesity in all age groups and can be tailored by personal choice to suit all ages and levels of fitness. An Open Air Gym in East Cowes will be a free friendly way to help all keep fit and healthy.”
Image: Charlotte Gilhooly under CC BY 2.0
