News

The Mayor of Poole, Cllr Graham Mason, will launch the first inclusive fitness initiative in Poole at the Kemp Welch Leisure Centre on Monday, 23 September.

Kemp Welch Leisure Centre is one of thirty local authority leisure centres around the country to install inclusive fitness equipment which will enable disabled people and non-disabled people to train together.

Sport England has provided £1million from its Lottery Sports Fund to the English Federation of Disability Sport towards the cost of an inclusive fitness initiative, of which Poole has received £40,000.

The purpose of the scheme is to provide disabled people with the same fitness opportunities as non-disabled people and to promote the social, educational and health benefits of regular exercise. Trevor Booking, former England football team captain and Chair, said: "Improving sports opportunities for disabled people is a main aim of Sport England."

Cllr Graham Wilson, Executive Portfolio Holder for Community Development, said: "This is great news for the Rossmore area and for leisure facilities in Poole. The inclusive fitness initiative is something very positive for disabled people and I am pleased that the people of Poole will benefit from funding at this early stage."

Tim Hill, Manager, Kemp Welch Leisure Centre, said: "The centre has always aimed to provide as many sporting opportunities for disabled people as we do for non-disabled people and I am extremely pleased that the addition of this new equipment will help us achieve our aim."

The new facilities being introduced come from Technogym and include a range of cardio-vascular equipment and a multi-gym.