Premier League AFC Bournemouth defender Steve Cook and midfielder Dan Gosling joined the celebration of the £1.7 million investment programme that has transformed Bournemouth’s bid to get even more people off the couch and taking part in gym, swimming, fitness and sport.
Funded by Bournemouth Borough Council and social enterprise BH Live, the new development features two multi-purpose fitness studios and a gym extension at Bournemouth’s Littledown Centre, making it one of the UK’s largest and best-equipped public health and fitness facilities.
Over 200 fitness stations incorporating cardio vascular and strength equipment, Synrgy and functional fitness zones will enable even more people of all ages and abilities to enjoy and benefit from an activity programme.
The Littledown Centre records more than a million visits a year and, alongside organisations including the AFC Bournemouth Community Sports Trust, plays a big part in making Bournemouth one of the most active communities in the UK [Turning the Tide of Inactivity, UK Active, 2014].
Thanks to new investment, the centre continues to grow, with more health-related schemes and programmes to interest the widest possible audience.
“Bournemouth has some of the UK’s best health and fitness facilities and more people than ever now go to Littledown Centre to enjoy a regular health and wellbeing top-up,”
says Councillor Lawrence Williams, Cabinet Member for Tourism, Leisure and the Arts at Bournemouth Borough Council.
“We’re delighted to be working with BH Live to make Bournemouth’s centres even more appealing and beneficial for the local community.”
Peter Gunn, BH Live’s Chief Executive adds.
“We are thrilled to have Steve and Dan join us today to celebrate this landmark event in our drive to show people how being more active can improve their health and wellbeing. Boosted by a refreshed class programme to target currently inactive groups, the investment at Littledown Centre will make sure we have the capacity to benefit even more people and continue providing our local community with world-class health and wellbeing facilities.”
Find out more at littledowncentre.co.uk
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Notes to the editor
Littledown Centre is managed by BH Live in partnership with Bournemouth Borough Council.
About BH Live
BH Live is the South Coast’s leading operator of leisure and event venues – a social enterprise that designs and builds engaging experiences to inspire people and enrich lives. With over 2.5 million visits a year and over £31 million turnover, the organisation is changing lives – placing it at the heart of the UK’s growing social economy.
In 2013/14, BH Live hosted 423 shows, sold over half a million cultural, sporting and entertainment tickets, clocked up 1.8 million leisure centre visits and welcomed 88,000 conference and exhibition delegates which contributed over £45 million to the local economy.
For further press information:
Elizabeth Symmons
PR & Corporate Communications Executive, BH Live
Elizabeth.Symmons@bhlive.co.uk