Villagers in Houston can now work up a sweat while enjoying the fresh air after an outdoor gym was officially opened at Ardgryffe Park.
The new inclusive equipment, which caters for both the young and old, including people of all abilities, is now available for use at the vital community facility.
The project was delivered after Houston Community Council raised £7,000 and were granted £35,000 from Renfrewshire Council’s Green Spaces, Parks and Play Areas and Villages Investment Fund.
The outdoor gym was officially opened by Provost Lorraine Cameron who was invited as a special guests alongside many sponsors who’ve helped fund the project and Councillor Audrey Doig.
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John McEvoy from Houston Community Council said: “We had a wonderful day, and a great turnout at Ardgryffe Park on Saturday for the official launch of our new Community Outdoor Gym by Renfrewshire Provost Lorraine Cameron.
“She was introduced by Houston Community Council Vice Chairman Ian Andrew, who thanked her for the major grant from the Renfrewshire Council Green Spaces Fund, and also all our sponsors, whose additional support helped to make Athe gym even better.
“Later Ian presented Provost Lorraine with a bouquet of flowers, and we had refreshments generously provided by the Great Outdoor Gym Company.
“We also watched a spectacular display on the Active Rig by the Scottish Calisthenics Squad, who then went on to provide coaching sessions for our residents.”
John said they’ve had great feedback from residents who have started using the outdoor play equipment. He said: “People have told us they’ve used a lot of outdoor gyms and this is far and away the best ones they’ve seen. Lots of others said they’re in the park most days walking their dogs and have seen lots of people using the equipment.
“Another person told us, ‘I’m definitely going to start coming here and improve my fitness – seeing this gym has really motivated me’.
Councillor Doig, who represents Houston, said the gym is an example of “how public parks are developing into real community spaces” as she hailed the renovation of the area.
She said: “I am delighted that Provost Cameron could take time out of her busy schedule to open the new green gym at Ardgryffe Park.
“This means a lot to Houston Community Council who worked tirelessly to raise £7,000 to add to the £35,000 grant from the council’s green spaces fund.
“This total of £42,000 has made possible this new state-of-the-art green gym.”
All the machines come with full instructions, including start and finish diagrams, and QR codes to watch demonstration videos.
Using smart technology, gym users can record and track their performance to see how much they improve over the weeks and months.
Councillor Doig said the gym could also help people who are tightening their purse strings.
“This green gym really shows the way as to how public parks are developing into real community spaces and not just spaces primarily for children to play, although that is obviously still really important,” she said.
“Ardgryffe, and parks like it across Renfrewshire, can offer a real gym experience for grandparents and parents when they take kids to the park.
“The openness and accessibility of the green gym means that at a time when we are all worried about the cost of living crisis, and for many that might mean the gym membership has to go, then green gyms can fill that health gap at absolutely no additional cost to families.”
Houston Community Council thanked the following businesses for their support: John G Fleming Bowling Club, Cala Homes, Fox and Hounds, Business IT Specialists Ltd., Alvic Sliding Wardrobes, Miller and McClure Opticians, Gowanlea Nurseries, Brierie Financial Planning, Beaton Brothers Independent Funeral Directors, Consenna Ltd., Grant’s School of Music and Dance and Ralson Builders.
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