Meon Valley MP Flick Drummond is supporting Horizon Leisure Centre’s ambition to expand in Waterlooville after figures show local young people in deprived areas only undertake 30 minutes’ physical activity a week.
Flick went to visit the centre, run by the not-for-profit charity, and met with Horizon senior management and centre manager Sarah Moulds.
Horizon continues to keep its prices low to encourage regular use by the community. Any surplus is reinvested into the facilities to maintain standards, meet customer demands and improve the customer experience.
Flick was told it has been engaging the 33,700 inactive people within the Havant and Waterlooville area. In the most deprived areas of Havant and Waterlooville, 40% of 5-16-year-olds do less than 30 minutes of activity a week.
“I am a firm supporter of good physical activities for everyone but particularly our young and I was concerned to hear the numbers who are not getting precious little exercise week after week,” said Flick.
“I applaud Horizon for what it is doing in Waterlooville and Havant to help tackle this unwelcome statistic.
“During my visit I was told Horizon is looking to expand the centre and also increase what it offers to include less conventional activities to attract a wider variety of people into exercise.
“Inactivity is a killer. It leads to diabetes, and other health complaints and the cost to the NHS is huge. A fit and healthy lifestyle is vital. It is never too late to start but getting young people into the habit is of paramount importance.
“Horizon has my full support for its plans.”
Horizon is also linking in with organisations such as Sport England, Havant Borough Council and Social Prescribers within Doctors' Surgeries.
A new community officer is also joining the team, to take sport out to residents and to try and remove the barrier of stepping over the threshold of the leisure centre.
Mike Lyons Chief Executive Horizon Leisure Centres said: “It has been wonderful to support Flick’s visit to Waterlooville Leisure Centre and see how passionate she is to improve services for local people.
“As a charitable organisation, Horizon Leisure Centre’s aim is to encourage more local people to live active and healthy lifestyles.
“We offer a wide range of affordable activities for the whole family, regardless of age or ability levels - We really do offer something for everyone.”