Active Johnstown

Without any dedicated sports facilities or community building we don't have many opportunities within Johnstown for healthy heart pumping activities..... or do we?

Granted there's no football pitches and they won't magically appear either. The same is true for a playground and sports hall.

When we talk about activities we also tend to focus on teenagers and the youth but we don't tend to appreciate that ALL age groups need facilities too. Activities for parents, grand parents, 'The Overs' category as X Factor call us. Some being 'less over' than others!

True, it's getting darker earlier and the weather is....... being the weather! Making use of outdoor space is hit and miss at the best of times, even in summer. The 'fair weather' residents will be put off but Spring will soon be back but whilst it's not snowing we can find out if there's interest in there being small group activities within Johnstown.

There are a few key features most people will ask about and it's usually a negative 'We Don't Have.....' type statement.

Parking

Do we need to provide any? We're promoting activities for local people who can attend on foot. There will always be a car space somewhere nearby which doesn't cause a nuisance and during the daytime Johnstown is extremely quiet.

Toilet Facilities

With prior permission these could be available in the Johnstown Shopping Centre and some other business venues.

Ground Space

Depending on the activity there are a few locations:

• Cycle tracks and footpaths

Neither need any explanation other than we don't have a well advertised walking group or local cycling group. If they do exist let us know and lets invite more people to participate and stay safe and visible in larger numbers.

• All weather Areas

Depending on the time of day and the scale of activity there are a few tarmac areas which could become temporarily available.

• Lots of Green Space

Park Fitness Johnstown made use of the open green space of Bailis Downs for several months: it caused no disturbance, no damage, no parking issues and attracted small groups of local residents twice a week.

What it also achieved is proof that these spaces can be used successfully by activities that can be adjusted to suit the ground conditions and space.

It takes permission from those who live around these spaces too and the group needs their own insurance and safety systems in place.

• The Johnstown Peoples Park

This is often looked at by outsiders as the perfect location for so many activities and it could be a venue one day. But unlike the open green spaces it is privately owned land and it's unlikely to get 100% agree to anything. It might take a few example demonstrations elsewhere to convince owners that it could be viable.

Given the opportunity children will play football in your kitchen but we're a lot more safety conscious so that's not one of the forthcoming proposals.

We're looking at a variety of activities to cater for a variety of age groups and social circumstance. We're thinking of small groups in activities with some similar to Park Fitness Johnstown but also games where a ball isn't going to be a danger to others.

A group who are experienced in helping to organise such events has been found and we're hoping to announce some dates and activities very shortly.

5 potential locations have been identified within Johnstown and each has the potential to be used for short brief periods but again it's not yet confirmed. To trial activities we only need one but going forward we need them all.

Soon, Very Soon!

We're hoping to have a pilot activity happen in October and November, weather permitting and venue permissions too.

The age groups are varied and so too are the times of day - healthy sports are not just weekend activities.

You will need to Join the Community Noticeboard on Facebook OR your local residents association for information as it becomes available.