Ribbon is cut to mark opening of gym at Ballynahinch school

Ribbon is cut to mark opening of gym at Ballynahinch school

19 December 2012

BALLYNAHINCH High School has opened the first outdoor gym in a post-primary school in Northern Ireland.

Commissioned by the South Eastern Education and Library Board (SEELB), school will be one of five secondary schools to have this new facility in a total investment of over £200,000.

The 22-piece gym provides a great work-out outdoors for pupils of all physical abilities and can be used before and after school.

Installed by Garden Escapes, in partnership with the Great Outdoor Gym Company (TGO) Ireland, these will be the largest outdoor gyms in the country.

Speaking at the launch in Ballynahinch yesterday, Mr. Roger Sayers, Head of Property and Planning Services at the SEELB, said: “It is a particularly special occasion to be formally opening the first outdoor gym of this size in Northern Ireland and the Board is delighted with the positive feedback we have already had with this project.

“We are committed to raising the standards of learning and levels of achievement of the young people in our area and what we have here is an innovative and fun way in which pupils of all ages can benefit from a wide range of activities.”

Richard Stuart, Managing Director of TGO Ireland, said he was delighted to be launching this facility in his home town of Ballynahinch.

“Never before has there been such a focus on health and well-being with the interest in outdoor exercise being at an all-time high — especially in children and young adults,” he said.

“Physical inactivity causes more deaths than obesity — only smoking, high blood pressure and high blood glucose are responsible for greater mortality.

“It is well documented that the problem starts in childhood when habits are laid down that become lifelong.”

Ex-Ireland and Ulster Rugby player Andy Ward, who also runs a gym in Ballynahinch, said he was certain it would set a trend throughout the rest of the country.

“The health benefits of exercise and the great outdoors are undisputed and this gives the pupils of Ballynahinch High School the opportunity to learn about physical education in new surroundings whilst allowing them to increase their fitness levels,” he said.