health & fItness


Plans revealed for Finsbury Leisure Centre in London


Islington Council has revealed plans to rebuild and improve facilities at Finsbury Leisure Centre as part of a larger develop- ment earmarked for the St Luke’s area. Included in the revamp would be


improvements to squash courts, the sports hall and football pitches. Te council also wants to improve the lay-


out of outdoor spaces for local people. Part of the St Luke’s Area Draſt Plan, propos- als include council homes and new public spaces. Details: http://lei.sr?a=z3D5Z


Inactivity £7bn cost for health


More than £7bn of savings could be made on the UK’s health spending if each per- son took the government’s recommended daily amount of exercise. Te findings, from a new report by the London School of Economics and healthcare charity, Nuffield Health, show that 70 per cent of UK adults do not currently meet the target of 150 minutes of exercise a week. The report, 12 minutes


more..., uses data from the annual Health Survey for England and suggest that if each inactive UK citizen would do just 12 min- utes of exercise each day the UK could save £7bn in costs of associated NHS treatments, welfare and loss of earnings. Health benefits attainable by simply moving


more include decreased levels of cholesterol and risk of high blood pressure; cutting the


Facilities include a 25m swimming pool and gym


Sandwell unveils £8m Tipton Leisure Centre


Tipton Leisure Centre has opened its doors to the public, at a formerly vacant site on Alexandra Road. Facilities at the centre include a 25m six-


lane pool, a 12.5m teaching pool, a dance studio and a fully equipped 54-station gym that overlooks the centre’s pool. Sandwell Leisure Trust will manage the


new centre, which was designed by Sandwell Urban Design Architects - the council’s in-house service. Construction was led by Hertfordshire-based group Willmott Dixon. Details: http://lei.sr?a=C8N9Y


Oldham Council renews 10-year leisure contract


Oldham Council has renewed its con- tract for sports and leisure provision with Oldham Community Leisure (OCL), which has run local sporting facilities since 2002. Te new 10-year deal, with the option of a five-year extension, follows a council review into leisure service across the borough. The final plans include a new leisure


facility to replace the Oldham Sports Centre and a new facility in Royton town centre - both to be designed and built by Willmott Dixon. Details: http://lei.sr?a=w0T7q


4 Improving activity levels among the public would save health spending


risk of lifestyle related diseases - such as Type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease - as well as better control of body weight. Active people are not only 7 per cent


less likely to be obese, but they also reduce their risk of poor mental health by 6 per cent. Details: http://lei.sr?a=Y3r9R


Technical defects delay Fife’s £23m centre


Te £22.6m Michael Woods Sports & Leisure Centre in Glenrothes, Fife, will now open in mid-June, instead of this month, due to a serious technical defect. Construction began in July


2011 and when complete the centre, which has replaced the Fife Institute, will be managed by Fife Sports and Leisure Trust on behalf of the Fife Council. Sports partner- ship manager for the council Andy MacLellan said: “We had intended to open the new facility at the end of April, but during final testing a serious technical defect with the walls around the swimming pools was identified and this needs to be rectified by the contractor before the building can be formally handed over to the council.”


When open, the centre will be managed by Fife Sports and Leisure Trust


Wetside facilities will include a 25m eight- lane swimming pool with a gallery for 250 spectators; a 20m by 10m training pool with moveable underwater floor; and an 11m by 5m pool. Details: http://lei.sr?a=3l8W4


Community group takes action over leisure cuts


A community action group has commenced judicial review proceedings against Sheffield City Council over proposals that would effec- tively close the Stocksbridge Leisure Centre. Te council tentatively approved propos- als to remove £400,000 of subsidies for the


Read Leisure Opportunities online: www.leisureopportunities.co.uk/digital


leisure centre at a meeting on 1 March, but has deferred a final decision until the end April to allow the community to progress alterna- tive proposals. Te council has plans for a new centre in North Sheffield to serve the whole district. Details: http://lei.sr?a=i5q5J


Twitter: @leisureopps © Cybertrek 2013


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