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Investment in grassroots and community sport integral to Team GB legacy in some facilities remaining closed after the pandemic and in need of costly repairs.
The legacy of Team GB’s success during this summer’s Tokyo Olympics risks being lost without further investment in grassroots and community sport facilities, the Local Government Association says. Councils provide the majority of public swimming pools and leisure facilities. However, they are expensive to build and maintain and with increased pressures to
divert funding from sports to fund statutory services such as adult social care and children’s services. The pandemic has also resulted in many leisure facilities facing additional financial pressures. The LGA, which represents councils across England and Wales, said 63 per cent of main sports halls and 60 per cent of swimming pools are past their expected lifespans or overdue refurbishment, resulting
Sport England has provided effective support and investment in infrastructure, but their funds are oversubscribed, so the LGA is calling for the Government to provide an urgent second round of National Leisure Recovery Funding, worth £700 million , to enable facilities to remain open and continue playing a vital role in supporting the health of the nation and nurturing the ambition of young people in elite sports. Longer-term capital investment through the upcoming Spending Review will also be needed to refurbish the estate, bring them up to environmental standards and ensure services are protected in the future.
Investment in sport and leisure facilities, from financial support, to strategic partnership working between central and local government and community organisations is essential in increasing the development of young people, preparing them with vital life skills and healthy habits. Cllr Gerald Vernon-Jackson, Chair of the LGA’s Culture, Tourism and Sport Board, said: “The country is hugely proud of the tremendous achievements by our athletes at the Tokyo Olympics. Their success could lead to a legacy of inspiring young people to take up sport and healthy lifestyle habits. “We must take action now if we want to ensure this success is repeated in the future, and that young people from all
backgrounds can aspire to compete in future Games. “Local leisure facilities play a vital role in ensuring our communities can get healthy and active, but they are also the starting point in discovering bright new sporting talent, that can go on to represent Team GB on the world stage. “Council funded facilities also offer people from all backgrounds the chance to access a range of free or lowcost activities in a safe and supported environment, which is vital in enabling residents living in deprived areas to be active and to level up opportunities across the country.”
Weed & Pest Control The latest advice and products Pages 15-17
Local Government Association Enquiry 37
New-look Innovation Awards for SALTEX 2021 The GMA announces additional, new categories to the SALTEX Innovation Award, a prestigious hallmark for products showcasing the future of groundscare. Entries for this year are now open via the website.
Show organisers have announced that there are now several innovation categories, which include: machinery; hand tools; consumables; vehicles; environmental / Sustainability; information technology; equipment; and robotics.
Since its launch at SALTEX in 2017, the Innovation Award has helped to highlight some of the most ground-breaking, innovative products and services within the groundscare industry and this year, visitors will notice some remarkable differences.
All submitted entries are evaluated by an independent panel of judges before a final shortlist is devised. The finalists will be announced in the lead-up to the show and the winners will be named in each and every category in a
seminar theatre on the first day of SALTEX (3 November). Rigby Taylor’s Intelligent One autonomous robotic line marker and Fleet Line Markers’ MAQA line marking machine were joint winners of the first ever SALTEX Innovation Award. In 2018, Agrovista Amenity’s groundbreaking new app, PrecisionPro, picked up the award, and The Cub Cadet INFINICUT SM34 Rotary Mower was crowned the winner of the 2019 Innovation Award. SALTEX
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Enquiry 38
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