Appeal issued to council for better access to gym facility

Appeal issued to council for better access to gym facility

3 November 2021

A NEW initiative to provide a dedicated time slot for teenagers wishing to use Down Leisure Centre in Downpatrick has been welcomed by a local politician.

However, Cllr Cadogan Enright insists that greater access needs to be provided and that what Newry, Mourne and Down Council is offering is “miles out of step” with the service provided by neighbouring local authorities for their young people.

Last year, the local council piloted “teen gyms” as part of its summer activity programme and has continued the initiative, with slots available on Tuesdays for girls aged between 13 and 16 and boys on a Thursday who also fall into the same category.

Cllr Enright said while he’s happy the council is running the pilot programme, he is not satisfied with the current offering.

He continued: “What’s available is miles out of step with neighbouring councils who have been offering excellent facilities to youngsters from as young as 11 for years. While other councils are offering a full range of services to young teens, we were using child protection concerns as an excuse for avoiding the issue entirely. At least this is beginning to change.

“A lot of parents have said to me that tackling teen obesity needs to start early and many want gym exercise available for their children. Clubs cannot bring younger members into the Downpatrick leisure centre on dark rainy nights, while nearby councils run family fitness programmes.”

Cllr Enright believes that middle-aged parents and teenagers should exercise together, with the local council providing a much better service for young teenagers who want to attend gyms at leisure centres either with the clubs they belong to, their parents or on their own.

“If we look at Ards and North Down Council, it allows people from 11 years upwards to use gym facilities. After an induction day with their parents, they do not have to be accompanied as staff are on duty at all times to monitor what is going on,” he revealed. “Ards and North Down also offer a family fitness programs.”

Turning to Lisburn and Castlereagh Council, Cllr Enright said teenagers have to be accompanied by an adult after 5.30pm and loose weights cannot be used by young people aged 15 and under. 

“Like Ards and North Down, all juniors aged between 11 and 15  must be inducted with a parent or guardian present while they learn how to use the equipment safely and effectively. Gym staff will also provide advice on equipment and workout programmes on an ongoing basis”, he explained.

Arguing that what Newry Mourne and Down Council is offering is a “long way” from what is provided by neighbouring councils, the Downpatrick councillor claimed the policy appears to be what he described as a “negative outlier”.

He added: “This also puts our younger competitive athletes at a disadvantage vis-a-vis their peers in neighbouring councils. I have asked council management to come back to me with how we can make a better offer to young teenagers, families and clubs with members in this age group.”