Kentish Gazette Canterbury & District
Work out in open air as gym to be installed at park
£20m project welcomed by community
‘It was one of the most popular things that came up in the consultation and fills a gap in provision’
A £20,000 outdoor gym designed for all ages and people with disabilities is to be installed in a city park.
The equipment will be erected on the Kingsmead Field in Canterbury, where a consultation among residents revealed it to be one of the most desirable assets for the recreation area.
Three specialist contractors were invited to submit ideas, resulting in Fresh Air Fitness being awarded the contract to provide and install the kit.
Sian Pettman, of the Friends of the Kingsmead Field group, believes the open-air gym will be a welcome feature for the park.
“It was one of the most popular things that came up in the consultation for the ideas to enhance the park, and fills a gap in provision,” she said.
“What we like about this proposal is that it has a big central rig with other separate equipment around it and apparatus that can be used by disabled
people, including those in wheelchairs.
“But it will be great for teenagers too who perhaps can’t afford gym membership.”
The equipment will include a recumbent bike, double air walker, air skier, big shoulder wheel and an elliptical cross trainer.
There will also be an arm and pedal bike for the disabled.
All the features will have a QR code which can be scanned on a mobile phone for workout advice.
Funding for the project was sourced by the city council’s parks officer, Rebecca Scott, who identified money which could be accessed from developer contributions.
It provided £15,000 towards the cost, with a further £2,500 coming from the Friends of the Kingsmead Field, £1,500 from Graham Gibbens’ KCC member’s grant, and £1,000 from the Kent County Playing Fields Association.
The installation of the gym is expected to start in mid-november.
“It’s going to be next to the existing play area so will be great for parents to exercise while keeping an eye on their children,” said Mrs Pettman.