Issue - meetings

Question from Member of the Public

Question

If funding was available, would it be considered to install outdoor exercise equipment in Whittons Park? Kompan, who completed the latest park improvements offered a range of multi-use bodyweight exercise equipment in their street workout catalogue which would be ideally suitable. To my knowledge, nothing of the sort existed in any outdoor spaces in the area that was freely and publicly available. Equipment of this nature would be excellent for a range of age groups, people who were unable to access regular gyms and those wishing to exercise outdoors. Whilst cardiovascular exercise was for the most part free of charge, quality strength training was obtained by a gym membership. In an era of budgeting, health and fitness should not have to be only available to those who can afford it. To that end, would the council be open to the idea of installing such equipment at Whittons Park?

Answer

All the city’s open spaces, including equipped play areas were important facilities in support of community health, be that physical or mental health. The Council’s tight financial position meant that it was not easily able to add new areas of responsibility such as outdoor gyms, no matter how beneficial they might be, if they added an ongoing revenue burden. Whilst capital funding for new initiatives like this could be hard to find, and was welcome when it was available, the real issue was the revenue funding required to inspect and maintain them in a safe condition ongoing.

The Council’s focus was on maintaining current assets to a good standard, and seeking opportunities to improve our open spaces offer by innovative means, which was why I hoped to bring forward an income generation strategy in support of open spaces very shortly.

There were many ways to exercise for free in our homes, our parks, our streets and our countryside, from walking running and cycling to organised activities and there were many free mobile apps such as StreetTag and Couch to 5K that could be used to help structure that activity or make it more fun. The Council worked with Active Lincolnshire and other partners to promote these in our communities and schools.