Sobell protesters outside the Finsbury Park leisure centre

• IT is completely untrue to suggest that the trampoline park at Sobell Leisure Centre is being paid for by “secret loans” (Secret loans to pay for trampolines, July 14).

Details of investment in leisure centres such as Sobell, including loan arrangements, were set out in the public Executive report in January 2014, when GLL was awarded Islington’s leisure contract. This report is available to read on the council website.

The loans to leisure providers referred to in your article are a very common way of doing business by councils across the country. This is the cheapest way to fund this kind of investment, meaning more can be spent on improving leisure facilities for local people and less repaid to banks. GLL estimates that 75 per cent of leisure management contracts include similar arrangements.

In Islington, these loans have already brought about major investment to Archway Pool, Highbury Pool and Gym and Islington Tennis Centre. All of these improved centres are used day in, day out by residents. Islington Tennis Centre, for example, has seen a 40 per cent increase in centre users since the improvements were made.

At a time of massive government cuts to council budgets, our leisure contract with GLL has enabled us to make significant investment in leisure facilities. Previously, the council was paying a provider to run its leisure centres. Now, the council instead receives a share of income from its leisure facilities, which makes a huge difference.

It is also worth saying that GLL is contractually committed to repay the loan for the Sobell trampoline park, with interest, and the financial risk of the loan lies with GLL.

The Sobell trampoline park will increase sporting activity among young people. It is estimated twice as many people will use the space when the trampoline park is in place.

The increase in participation will come from mainly young people, particularly teenage girls, who often stop exercising or participating in sport at that age. It will also be good for schools, families, teenagers, women’s-only sessions, and people with disabilities.

The trampoline facilities will be fully accessible and GLL’s experience of operating similar parks demonstrates a positive take-up from under-represented groups. This increase in participation is key to enabling our residents to live more healthy and active lives.

Although some football players who currently use the Sobell Centre are understandably concerned that they may have to change their plans, a full displacement strategy for those affected by the change has been developed.

It has been arranged for people to play at Holloway School sports hall, which complies with Sport England guidance. Both the new football pitches at the Sobell Centre and nearby facilities are FA approved.

Seventy-five per cent of bookings at the Sobell will remain there after the trampoline park has been installed. The remaining bookings will either move to the Sobell’s outside pitches or to Holloway School.

Islington is gaining a fantastic new sporting facility, funded entirely above board and in a transparent way. We look forward to welcoming people of all ages and backgrounds to the trampoline park when it opens later this year.

JANET BURGESS
Labour executive member for health and wellbeing, Islington Council