The sports hall at the Sobell Centre set to become a trampoline park

• ISLINGTON Council is committed to helping people get physical exercise, which is vitally important to keep people of all ages fit and healthy.

That is why we are excited about the new trampoline park that will be installed in part of the Sobell Leisure Centre. At the same time, we are helping those who use the centre for other sports to be able to continue enjoying their various activities.

The new trampoline park will increase sporting activity among young people, particularly teenage girls. It is estimated that twice as many people will use the space when the trampoline park is in place.

I understand the heartfelt concerns of some people who use the centre to play football. That is why the council has worked hard with GLL to review the operation of the centre to allow indoor football to continue, as the Tribune reported last week (Footballers snub Sobell extra time offer, August 18).

These hours are in addition to the facilities offered at Holloway School, less than a mile away, as well as at the Sobell’s outdoor 3G floodlit pitches. We have listened to concerns about the sports hall at Holloway School and GLL has invested to improve the playing experience there.

The Sobell will continue to provide space for people who enjoy badminton, basketball, netball and other activities, as it’s important that our facilities offer a range of sports and leisure activities. We will continue to work hard to support the footballers.

At a time of huge government cuts to council budgets, the trampoline park will help the council to continue to deliver frontline services to residents, and will help more people enjoy physical activity.

CLLR JANET BURGESS
Labour deputy leader