Healthy turnout for gym voting event

There was a healthy turnout for a voting event held by Budleigh Salterton Town Council for residents to choose their new free-to-use outdoor gym.

The interest shown was impressive, with 139 residents from all age-groups coming along to vote at the late-night shopping event.

Residents got to vote on which one of three designs they wanted installed, the winner with 47% of all votes was Option C, a design from Proludic. The result now needs to be ratified by Budleigh Salterton Town Council and EDDC to release the available money.

Free-to-use

East Devon District Council (EDDC), a group of Budleigh Salterton Town Councillors and healthcare professionals have been working together to provide Budleigh Salterton residents with the free-to-use outdoor gym that they want.

The outdoor gym facility has been proposed and chosen by the local community. Earlier in the year, EDDC and Budleigh Salterton Town Council asked community groups, residents and other organisations to put forward their ideas as to how £35,000 of the sports funding accumulated from recent Budleigh Salterton housing developments (Section 106 money) should be spent.

These ideas were then taken out to residents and they got to vote on which ones they wanted to happen in Budleigh Salterton. One of the winning ideas was to spend £15,000 on free-to-use outdoor gym facilities. The other project, the provision of a cycle path across The Green, is being progressed.

Enthusiasm

Budleigh Salterton Town Council, EDDC and the healthcare professionals researched possible locations and what types of equipment could be provided. It was decided that most of the gym equipment will be best placed in a group on The Green and the rest will be put near Lime Kilm car park next to the children’s play area.

Councillor Tom Wright, East Devon District Councillor for Budleigh, Budleigh Salterton Town Councillor and a member of the Steering Group for the outdoor gym, said:

“What came across was the real enthusiasm of those who came out to vote. There was some scepticism that the community was actually going to get what it had asked for. They are looking forward with great anticipation to see it happen. Thanks are due to Dr Richard Mejzner, Mark McGlade of Home Instead and Mrs Janice Kitson for their valuable input”.

Councillor Chris Kitson, Budleigh Salterton Town Councillor, and a member of the Steering Group for the outdoor gym, said:

“The community have chosen the facilities they need for the Town, these will be of benefit to all ages. This includes the cycle track across the Green and outdoor gym facilities at Lime Kiln car park adjacent to the existing children's play area and on the Green, close to the shelter”.