The fitness gym at Leisure World Highwoods has recently installed new state-of-the-art gym equipment thanks to a successful funding application by The Gilberd School with Active Essex.
Active Essex, The Gilberd School and the Leisure World Highwoods team worked together to secure funding through the Opening Schools Facilities Fund from the Department for Education to improve the equipment in the gym which is used by both members of the public and students at The Gilberd.
The Opening Schools Facilities (OSF) is a Department for Education (DfE) investment programme to meet the goals of the Government’s School Sport and Activity Action Plan. The aim is to help schools to open their existing sport facilities, for a broader range of young people and to support the wider community by partnering with sporting organisations, who can help deliver activities in these settings.
The funding was secured as part of a three-year plan and The Gilberd School invested £20k for new equipment in the gym which is open to the public and used by The Gilberd School students. They are also investing a further £10k of funding for functional gym equipment and to support staff costs for delivery, allowing the centre to increase times that students can use the gym.
The new equipment, which was supplied by Physical Company at a discounted price, so more equipment was viable, is now in place, with more due to arrive soon, and the feedback from students and community users has been really positive.
Cllr Michelle Burrows, Portfolio Holder for Leisure, Culture and Heritage, said: “Working with partners such as Active Essex and The Gilberd School to improve our facilities and access to those facilities for both young people and the wider community is really important.
“We are delighted that the funding application was successful, and incredibly grateful to the Active Essex, The Gilberd School and Leisure World Highwoods teams for their hard work on this. The new equipment looks great, and we look forward to working together moving forward to make even more improvements to Leisure World Highwoods.”
James Mitchell, Head of School at The Gilberd School, said: “We are delighted that this investment will benefit the school and wider community for years to come.”
Leisure World Highwoods is the smallest Leisure World centre, boasting an indoor sports hall, basketball courts, netball courts and football pitches as well as the fitness gym; with facilities regularly used by several community sports clubs. The fitness gym facilities can be used on a pay as you go basis or via a membership plan, find out more about the facilities at Leisure World Highwoods at www.colchesterleisureworld.co.uk/centres/leisure-world-highwoods
Page last reviewed: 24 July 2023