Published:
6:16 p.m. July 4, 2022
New outdoor exercise equipment has been unveiled at a playground in Lowestoft as part of a first for the city.
Nearly three and a half years ago, more than 200 people attended to discuss improvements to the facilities at Lowestoft’s Whitton Green playground.
Now, after an investment of around £120,000, new upgraded facilities have officially opened as part of the Whitton Green Project.
Whitton Green Playground in Lowestoft.
– Credit: Mick Howes
Lowestoft Mayor Alan Green was present at the opening on Monday morning (July 4) along with Lowestoft City Councillors, members of Waveney Valley AC, the public and a team from Kompan UK, who made demonstrations on how to use the new gym. equipment.
The official opening of the new outdoor fitness equipment on Whitton Green in Lowestoft.
– Credit: Mick Howes
A council spokesperson said: “The Lowestoft Council is delighted that what began as a public consultation in 2019 on how the site could be used, is now seeing the launch of the full concept with the retained caged sports stadium, playground for kids and outdoor gym equipment.
The official opening of the new outdoor fitness equipment on Whitton Green in Lowestoft.
– Credit: Mick Howes
The project was jointly supported by East Suffolk Council, Borough Councilors Frank Mortimer and Trish Mortimer, the East Suffolk Communities Team, East Suffolk Norse and Lowestoft Councillor.
Lowestoft City Councilors at the upgraded facility on Whitton Green in Lowestoft.
– Credit: Mick Howes
Gone is one of the large caged sports arenas, with bushes trimmed, groundwork done, and new equipment, including cardio bikes, fitness and outdoor play equipment, a suspension trainer, cross trainer, and a cross trainer. arms, all installed.
Improved facilities on Whitton Green in Lowestoft.
– Credit: Mick Howes
New benches were added to the playground and the children’s play park was resurfaced.
Improved facilities on Whitton Green in Lowestoft.
– Credit: Mick Howes
Kompan UK’s outdoor gym, which is suitable for everyone, uses a QR code and an app that can be downloaded for free on smartphones.
Improved facilities on Whitton Green in Lowestoft.
– Credit: Mick Howes
It gives users a demo of each team, along with some recommended workouts, and can save their progress, so fitness freaks can keep coming back and improving.
Hailed as “a first for Lowestoft”, Helen Sephton-Pike of Kompan UK said: “The team here is more than just training, it’s for everyone.
The official opening of the new outdoor fitness equipment on Whitton Green in Lowestoft.
– Credit: Mick Howes
“You can give yourself challenges, go up to different levels and come up with suggested circuits, it’s great.
The official opening of the new outdoor fitness equipment on Whitton Green in Lowestoft.
– Credit: Mick Howes
“It’s free and open to all with pictorial information about the equipment that gives you information and an example of what to do.
The official opening of the new outdoor fitness equipment on Whitton Green in Lowestoft.
– Credit: Mick Howes
“This is a first for Lowestoft, we have some in Suffolk, in Ipswich, and in Cambridgeshire and they have innovative third generation outdoor exercise equipment that we have developed.”
Lowestoft Councilor Sonia Barker talks about the new outdoor gym equipment at Whitton Green.
– Credit: Mick Howes
With Elmtree Borough Councilors Elise Youngman, Peter Lang, Sonia Barker at the official opening along with Lowestoft City Councilors Alan Green, Janet Craig and Andy Pearce, Ms Barker said: “Honestly, I think it will be very well used.
The official opening of the new outdoor fitness equipment on Whitton Green in Lowestoft.
– Credit: Mick Howes
“This all comes from listening to the community and reflecting their wishes.”
Green said that after the consultation event in February 2019, the work continued during the pandemic.
He added: “We had a pre-pandemic consultation for people interested in new facilities, including outdoor gym equipment.
The official opening of the new outdoor fitness equipment on Whitton Green in Lowestoft.
– Credit: Mick Howes
“We also wanted to provide a safe place for children and toddlers to go.”
Earlier this year, bird boxes were installed in trees around the area and children from Elm Tree Elementary School added insect hotels that they had made as part of the project.
Pearce said the outdoor gym equipment cost “just over £40,000” with upgrades to the entire playing area, along with “a lot of ground work” and earthworks, including removing bushes and one of the cages. , looking at the cost of the project. a “total between £110,000 and £120,000”.
Kirkley Fen Park in Lowestoft.
– Credit: Mick Howes
In April, Lowestoft City Council began redevelopment work on Normanston Park in Lowestoft and Fen Park on Southwell Road, Kirkley, with new exercise and fitness equipment to be introduced soon.
The team is setting up at Fen Park in South Lowestoft.
– Credit: Mick Howes
This week the council said the new equipment at Fen Park and Normanston Park is due to open imminently.
The new adult gym equipment installed at Normanston Park in Lowestoft.
– Credit: Mick Howes
The team is setting up at Fen Park in Kirkley, Lowestoft.
– Credit: Mick Howes
Background
After police reported an increase in anti-social behavior in the fall of 2018, a “multi-agency approach” was launched after youth groups were identified as being responsible for incidents of racist abuse and two fireworks attacks in Premier Store.
In 2019, a public consultation event was held on The Green with 200 people in attendance.
Open to people who live in the Whitton Estate area of Lowestoft and surrounding Kirkley, the four-hour event featured free activities, including a mini ice rink, boxing tryout sessions and more.
Comments from the event highlighted what young people had said about The Green: figures revealed that 25 per cent did not play outside, while a third of children “did not play outside for fear of what might happen”.