Another Wait In Obesity War

Newcastle Herald

Thursday October 11, 2007

DONNA SHARPE - MAITLAND

A WOMAN keen to help win the battle against childhood diabetes and obesity in the Lower Hunter has been fighting Maitland City Council for the past four months to establish a children's gym in Rutherford.

Louise Skeen has lodged a development application with the council for the gym to provide health and fitness, music and drama activities for children from three months to 16 years.

The centre, proposed for an industrial building off the New England Highway, would contain exercise equipment, party rooms, rock climbing areas, a soft play area, drama room, recording studio and an administration area.

Mrs Skeen's proposal was put before the council on Tuesday night with officers recommending it be refused citing traffic, parking and location issues as key problems.

This comes despite the same site operating previously as a gym for several years.

Mrs Skeen told councillors at a meeting on Tuesday that location should not be an issue because of its history operating successfully as gym, which also had a child-minding area.

"The only reason it moved was because it had outgrown the site," she said.

She said the bulk of her business would be carried out on weekends when parking would not be an issue.

The council deferred making a decision until it does further traffic and parking studies.

Mrs Skeen, who has worked in the fitness industry for more than 20 years, has designed a fitness program for children that is about to be sold in the United Kingdom.

Her program focuses on encouraging children's interest in fitness through fun games rather than aerobic exercise.

Classes include ball games, hula hoop activities and other schoolyard-style games used to raise children's heart rates.

© 2007 Newcastle Herald

Back to News Index | Back to Home