Bristol South Labour Party

Working hard all year round for South Bristol

South Bristol Sports Centre

Dawn welcomes launch of 'superb resource'.

Dawn Primarolo, Labour MP for Bristol South joined the Lord Mayor Royston Griffey and Kerry McCarthy MP at today’s official opening of the South Bristol Sports Centre.

The Centre, on the site of the old Imperial ground, comprises a range of state-of-the-art outdoor and indoor facilities.  Amongst other things, it includes an all-weather pitch, gym, dance studio, squash courts as well as traditional grass pitches. 

Speaking afterwards, Dawn said:

“This centre will benefit the whole community.  It’s not being run for profit, so any money that’s made can go straight back into even better facilities.

Everybody knows that playing sport and exercising are great ways to stay healthy so it’s fantastic to see the launch of such a superb resource.  I understand that seven local schools are already using these facilities, and there are ambitious plans to build classrooms on site so that young people can sometimes spend the whole day at the centre.  The Government has pledged that young people will be entitled to five hours sport a week, and resources like these provide excellent opportunities for delivering on an ambitious target.

It is pleasing to be at the launch of such a prestigious centre in the same week that the Government has spelled out the challenges we face with obesity.  As Public Health Minister, tackling obesity is one of my top priorities.  It’s vital that we act now and encourage people to live healthier lifestyles.  Regular exercise is vital, and I’m sure that the South Bristol Sports Centre will help people achieve their own personal fitness goals while having fun.”

[19 October 2007]