Barnet
It’s been an eventful year of change and improvement for the many wonderful leisure facilities in Barnet, and I’m proud to have been a part of it.
Our partners at Better have invested £2,421,082 into making Finchley Lido, Burnt Oak and Hendon Leisure Centres even better. This summer, following investment from the Council, including £2m Lottery Funding via Sport England, we’ll be opening two brand-new leisure centres at Barnet Copthall and Victoria Recreation Ground, New Barnet. I can’t wait!
More than 20,000 people have so far signed up for our free Fit and Active Barnet (FAB) Card, which gives residents a range of benefits and activity incentives. Examples include up to 50% off activity prices, free swimming for children under 8, swimming for just £1 for children aged 8–15, and much more. If you live in Barnet and you haven’t already, please sign up now at www.better.org.uk/fab-card.
In the last year, we’ve seen the gym at Finchley Lido expand, with new state-of-the-art equipment for our residents to enjoy at an affordable price. By June 2019 improvements will have been made to the on-site air circulation systems and boilers, making the centre more energy-efficient. The poolside changing rooms will have undergone a big refurbishment too.
We’ve seen new gym equipment and new nursery and crechè facilities introduced at Burnt Oak Leisure Centre, which has also received a much-needed makeover to the changing rooms. What’s more, its 3G artificial grass pitch has been resurfaced – so that everyone can enjoy a good kick-about.
We’ve seen new equipment introduced in the expanded gym at Hendon Leisure Centre – which also has an improved and relocated climbing wall and modern changing facilities.
And the improvements don’t stop there. By the time we’ve finished building the Barnet Copthall Leisure Centre, it will have three swimming pools, three health improvement rooms, a sports hall, café and health and fitness suite. New Barnet Leisure Centre will have two swimming pools, a café, health and fitness suite, partnership library, multi-use games area, tennis courts and two health improvement rooms.
We’re working with Better and Middlesex University to develop a new interactive app for Barnet residents to encourage them to stay more active. It’s still early days, but we hope it’ll get everyone moving more in a fun and engaging way.
We need to make sure that Barnet is as fit, active and healthy as it can possibly be. A little exercise can help residents live much longer, as well as lifting the mood so that everyone can be healthier and happier. I would encourage all our residents to take part in some form of regular activity if they’re not already. Whether it’s at one of our fantastic, upgraded Better leisure centres or through our amazing FAB initiatives, please exercise and make your lives Better.
Councillor Sachin Rajput,
Chairman of Barnet Council’s Adults and Safeguarding