Published: Sunday, 24th January, 2010 12:00pm
Parents slam decision to close tennis centre
by Callum Brodie
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ANGRY parents have slammed the decision to replace the town's tennis centre with a bowling alley amid fears that obesity amongst children is on the rise in Slough.
Pressure is mounting on leisure bosses in the borough following an online campaign to save Salt Hill Tennis Centre and members are preparing to present a petition to councillors at an overview and scrutiny meeting next week.
Tennis enthusiasts of all ages have reacted furiously to the news that the indoor courts will be ripped out to make way for a £1.5m ten pin bowling complex in Salt Hill Park with one borough health expert claiming that the move is setting a poor example as the number of overweight youngsters in the town continues to increase.
Dr Neil Coleman, GP at The Avenue Medical Centre in Britwell, has revealed that more than 11 percent of his patients are obese and he believes that a lack of participation in sport is a contributing factor.
He said: "It's a real shame that the tennis centre may close. The levels of obesity in Slough are above the regional average and there just seems to be a lack of healthy options around town. I would have thought with the Olympics on the way sport in the town would really be promoted at the moment, sadly this is not the case."
Fakhra Zaman, a single mum from Slough, added: "I was distraught when I heard the news, my nine year-old daughter was getting a little chubby, like many of her school friends, so I signed her up for tennis lessons and she loves the sport. It is a safe indoor environment where people of all ages can play whatever the weather."
Council chiefs have meanwhile promised to invest in the nearby outdoor courts after suggesting that the tennis centre was no longer financially viable.
Cllr Shafiq Chaudhry, Commissioner for Community & Leisure said: "Unfortunately the tennis centre has been losing over £30,000 a year, and because Slough Community Leisure re-invests any surplus funds this centre is essentially drawing investment away from other facilities in the town."
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anon
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Jan 24 10 16:31
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Why is a GP from Britwell commenting on a project happening in salt hill park
Couldnt the observer find anybody nearer to the project to comment
I blame obesety on the children themselves. if they are to lazy to get away from the TV then that is down to them and their parents
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hmmm
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Jan 24 10 17:03
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i would imagine anon because his patients living in Britwell have the right to use the tennis courts in salt hill park as they are a town facility? or are they reserved for the sole use of those living within a one mile radius?
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lol
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Jan 24 10 21:20
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Tennis Court which is only used by a few priveliged. A bowling alley would be used by many youngsters. We need to look at the overall benfit, there is a alternative being proposed for the tennis. We need to move forward , the Tennis facility hasnt been used by masses. We introduce more facilities such as bowling alley for the youngsters so they can do something.
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hmmm
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Jan 24 10 22:03
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i think there is a bigger problem here. i think what needs to be addressed is WHY kids are chosing to be inactive and what can be done to get them to excercise more and use facilities such as the tennis courts. (although i agree a bowling alley wouldnt be bad for young people in slough, they have woefully little to do except hang around outside pubs and off licenses). \r\n\r\nthere\'s rather a circular decline happening - close a sports facility because kids are more inactive and dont use it enough, kids get fatter, NEED the activity more, but do less, and another facility goes and we just encourage them to get worse and worse.\r\n\r\nwhat can be done to actually encourage kids to use these facilities instead? we shouldnt just allow them to slowly destroy themselves by becoming more and more sedentary. bowling is good, but it isnt cardio vascular activity.
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lol
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Jan 24 10 22:23
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its cost more than £30 pounds to joing the gym... most people cant aford that. Have you seen the prices at slough community leisure centers, what a joke. it needs to be accesible for all not just a few privileged.
we are no gonna get them fitness freaks over night , but sure will get alot of them using the bowling alley. We need to get the lazy parents out and the kids use the Beutiful parks.
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Wiiiiiiinston
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Jan 24 10 23:15
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What has demolishing a tennis court got to with fat lazy kids? If the kids stop eating too much cakes and chocolate , and if the parents stop feeding them that crap and tesco value food then there will be no obesity problem with kids in Slough.
There is a bloody big field next to the tennis courts so the fat kids can simply have a run.
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hmmm
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Jan 25 10 09:13
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i have to agree about the price of some leisure activities restricting regular access to a significant number of people. but i also wonder how much its going to cost to use this bowling alley as im sure its not free.
what are the numbers like at the skating rink these days? is that getting used much?
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hmmm
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Jan 25 10 09:29
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actually the more i think about the cost of gym and leisure centre memberships versus the amount of money spent by the NHS in treating the short and long term effects of being overweight and/or obese i think it would be a good idea to have a scheme whereby the NHS pays for gym membership of those who would benefit from it on the strict condition that over a specific amount of time they show a decrease in weight and BMI (less fat more muscle tone). ie dont use it, then you lose it. medications for diabetes, asthma and other problems are often not needed once a significant amount of weight is lost. plus depression is also very common amoung those who are overeating, ie the reason many people overeat. losing weight in a group environment can be much easier than alone, and very confidence building.
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anon
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Jan 25 10 11:14
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For those of you complaining about the cost of a gym membership....
Slough community leisure start their memberships at £21 per month! How many people spend £21 per month on junk food??
Secondly if these kids are obese, they're obviously not being helped by the facilities at the tennis centre.
Finally, scl aren't simply 'ripping' the tennis courts out, they'll be providing a much better facility down the road at tvac!
I think a few people need to get their facts right before commenting for the sake of it.
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lol
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Jan 25 10 14:50
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The facilities at the Tennis court are not used and Tennis is not as popular as other sports. \r\nThe other sports facilities such as the the 5 a side football is available , but again it is a bit expensive to use on a regular basis.\r\n\r\nAs for the obese, children are lot less active , parents also are over protective and dont let there children out, to either play etc. They would rather they stayed at home on wii or TV.\r\n\r\nA general lifestyle change needs to be encouraged this has to be done by education and making it safer.
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hmmm
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Jan 25 10 20:06
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are there any basket ball courts available anywhere? i think concentrating on sports linked to popular culture, (not JUST football), is the way to go. tennis i think could seem rather elitist to some, and im not sure it would occur to many local kids, but basketball centres more around many kids musical tastes, just like football tends to be more popular on a social level.
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John
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Jan 26 10 09:36
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Another nail in the coffin for Slough town centre!
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Sa
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Jan 30 10 20:10
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I agree hmmm basketball is a wonderful sport to play, i play every saturday but it seems like im the only one there or shall i say the only one in the park some times.
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katy
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Feb 15 10 03:17
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if the council had changed the management on the council tennis centre it wouldn't have to be knocked down.
but the council is corrupt and in bed with its management company......talk about a close, working relationship so the community loses out !!
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