RESIDENTS living in Wivenhoe will be able to get fit while enjoying the great outdoors after money was secured for an outdoor gym.

Councillors used their mental muscles to band together and secured a total of £33,000 for the new facility.

Wivenhoe councillors Shaun Boughton and Mike Newton were awarded with £8,000 from the Tesco Bags of Help scheme to fund gym equipment for the Lower Lodge Farm playing fields.

The programme funds capital projects which improve the local environment using money from the 5p plastic bag charge.

For both councillors, it is a project they have wanted to pursue for three years.

Gazette:

Having partnered with Colchester Council’s Mark Cory, who is the portfolio holder for resources, role and responsibilities, the trio now have an additional £25,000 from the council’s community enabling strategy.

Mr Boughton said: “I’m over the moon about it.

“We want to promote healthier living and to have a healthier borough.

“Currently there are a lot of walkers and runners using the area, so I can already see it being well utilised.

“What we’re also doing is laying a pathway from the field to the pavement because at the moment it’s not very accessible for disabled users, people with pushchairs, or the elderly.

“So the path is holding us up slightly – and all the red tape which goes with it – but once we receive the funds, it’s all ready to go.

“All we need is to have a site meeting with the contractors and the gym company before we agree on a start date.

“My future vision is to have another two outdoor gyms at the King George Playing Field and also the Broadfields Estate, towards the top end of Wivenhoe.”

Building the gym will cost almost £15,000, with an estimated £10,000 to £15,000 for the path.

Tarmac sustainable building materials company, which has taken over the quarry site in Wivenhoe, will contribute materials to support the construction of the path.

Mr Cory said: "The project is about increasing use and access to this wonderful open space which is currently underutilised.

"We've got a lot of local businesses involved which means we can do the work with less cost involved.

"It's taken quite a lot of work to get all of the different elements together but I'm really happy we're getting to the point where we'll be able to get it completed within the next few months.

"People will be able to enjoy the space even more which is fantastic for Wivenhoe residents, so hopefully it goes smoothly."