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Local councils in the United Kingdom are working on helping sports and leisure centers maintain their facilities.
According to Sport England, most sports and leisure centers are already more than 20 years old and are in need of either restoration or replacement. However, recent cutbacks have forced local councils to allocate most of their budget to the improvement of social services and housing, leaving sports and leisure centers out of the picture.
As a response, local councils have released solutions to refurbish their respective fitness centers. The local council of Coleford proposed to look for partners, preferably sports authorities and health providers, who can help fund and secure their sports center. Meanwhile, Pendle plans to transform its decrepit sports hall into a playground and a dance studio.
The Department of Communities and Local Government also suggested that local councils maximize their four-year fixed budget by maintaining fitness facilities.
The UK Local Government Association stressed the importance of setting aside some budget for the sports and leisure centers because the citizens have a growing need for a healthier lifestyle.
A physical inactivity report released by the British Heart Foundation shows that 39% of adults in the United Kingdom are not active enough, while 60% are not aware of the government’s physical activity guidelines.
The BHF recommends physical activity as it helps reduce the risk of getting a heart disease. Other benefits of physical activity include higher energy, an improved physique, better mood, and reduced stress and anxiety levels.