Posted by: Stewie Griffin, Glasgow on 2:56pm Tue 29 Apr 08
As a Glaswegian paying full council tax, I'd love for the council to open a nice pool or gym near my house, but I dole out £50 a month for a private gym membership because there are NO council amenities near my house. And I don't live out in the sticks. So perhaps if there were more amenities and a better bus service in this city of an evening, more people might be encouraged to leave the armchair. An effort has to be made on both sides.
As a Glaswegian paying full council tax, I'd love for the council to open a nice pool or gym near my house, but I dole out £50 a month for a private gym membership because there are NO council amenities near my house. And I don't live out in the sticks. So perhaps if there were more amenities and a better bus service in this city of an evening, more people might be encouraged to leave the armchair. An effort has to be made on both sides.
Posted by: witterquick, Glasgow on 3:51pm Tue 29 Apr 08
Like Stewie, I'd love for there to a decent gym near where I live. There is one council gym nearby, but faced with the prospect of paying about 35 quid a month for it, I instead opted to just buy some loose weights and do some decent keep fit in the flat instead.
(one thing to note - Glasgow Caley Uni have a sports and recreation facility which is central and available to the public - costs vary with the type of membership you buy too - I used to use this particular facility but don't any more)
WOOHOO thunder and lightning in Glasgow atm!
Like Stewie, I'd love for there to a decent gym near where I live. There is one council gym nearby, but faced with the prospect of paying about 35 quid a month for it, I instead opted to just buy some loose weights and do some decent keep fit in the flat instead.
(one thing to note - Glasgow Caley Uni have a sports and recreation facility which is central and available to the public - costs vary with the type of membership you buy too - I used to use this particular facility but don't any more)
WOOHOO thunder and lightning in Glasgow atm!
Posted by: Ian, Glasgow on 4:20pm Tue 29 Apr 08
I live fairly near a council run sports centre but I rarely use it. Not because it's in any way bad but because I prefer to get out for a walk / run or cycle - so am I a couch potato?
This report does not tell us anywhere near the true reflection
I live fairly near a council run sports centre but I rarely use it. Not because it's in any way bad but because I prefer to get out for a walk / run or cycle - so am I a couch potato?
This report does not tell us anywhere near the true reflection
Posted by: leesome, Glasgow on 4:58pm Tue 29 Apr 08
If they had a more varied pricing structure at CS Glasgow then this might help. Obviously many who are available mid morning to mid afternoon should receive a discounted ticket. Instead CS Glasgow seeks to stigma those from asking to see personal bank accounts and benefit paper-work. Surely a breach of a persons privacy & a burden of stress that helps only to empty our city gyms.
If they had a more varied pricing structure at CS Glasgow then this might help. Obviously many who are available mid morning to mid afternoon should receive a discounted ticket. Instead CS Glasgow seeks to stigma those from asking to see personal bank accounts and benefit paper-work. Surely a breach of a persons privacy & a burden of stress that helps only to empty our city gyms.
Posted by: George Brown, glasgow on 9:15pm Tue 29 Apr 08
regarding a varied pricing structure, I notice an awful lot of passengers (not all elderly) boarding buses with concession tickets, perhaps such tickets could be utilised for access to such centres for part or total exemption of payment to access the facilities.
being in my 60's and having a concession travel ticket I would feel a little guilty about using it for that purpose as I already keep myself active through long walks and cycling
regarding a varied pricing structure, I notice an awful lot of passengers (not all elderly) boarding buses with concession tickets, perhaps such tickets could be utilised for access to such centres for part or total exemption of payment to access the facilities.
being in my 60's and having a concession travel ticket I would feel a little guilty about using it for that purpose as I already keep myself active through long walks and cycling
Posted by: fran, glasgow on 12:37am Wed 30 Apr 08
I feel strongly that a lot of the blame for this dreadful situation of apathy to sport and fitness should be laid at the door of Culture and Sport Glasgow. As a Glasgow Club member, living in the East End, I pay my monthly subscription to attend fitness classes at Tollcross Leisure Centre. However, in recent months the managers have changed timetables, dropped classes and altered class times to such an extent that even loyal members like myself feel like not turning up or renewing membership. I strongly believe that Culture and Sport managers in the city need to be a lot more responsive to customer wishes. There is huge potential for increasing access to sport and leisure among individuals of all ages and fitness levels living in the East End. Unfortunately, while our Leisure Centres are fabulous building assets the services they provide need to be much more customer led to be truly accessible to all.
I feel strongly that a lot of the blame for this dreadful situation of apathy to sport and fitness should be laid at the door of Culture and Sport Glasgow. As a Glasgow Club member, living in the East End, I pay my monthly subscription to attend fitness classes at Tollcross Leisure Centre. However, in recent months the managers have changed timetables, dropped classes and altered class times to such an extent that even loyal members like myself feel like not turning up or renewing membership. I strongly believe that Culture and Sport managers in the city need to be a lot more responsive to customer wishes. There is huge potential for increasing access to sport and leisure among individuals of all ages and fitness levels living in the East End. Unfortunately, while our Leisure Centres are fabulous building assets the services they provide need to be much more customer led to be truly accessible to all.
Posted by: Sydney Meriwether, Glasgow on 7:38am Wed 30 Apr 08
I agree with Ian, who wrote:
[quote]This report does not tell us anywhere near the true reflection[/quote]
Indeed it does not! Being "involved in sport once a week" has no relevance to being a couch potato; in order to gain real, sustained benefit from sporting activity, the government recommends that we participate in sport to a level to consistently elevate our heart rates for a minimum period of 30 minutes, 3 days a week. Therefore, the [bold]34% figure is clearly a huge underestimate in assessing the level of 'couch potatoes' in this city[/bold].
I agree with Ian, who wrote:
This report does not tell us anywhere near the true reflection
Indeed it does not! Being "involved in sport once a week" has no relevance to being a couch potato; in order to gain real, sustained benefit from sporting activity, the government recommends that we participate in sport to a level to consistently elevate our heart rates for a minimum period of 30 minutes, 3 days a week. Therefore, the
34% figure is clearly a huge underestimate in assessing the level of 'couch potatoes' in this city.
Posted by: Sydney Meriwether, Glasgow on 7:54am Wed 30 Apr 08
Re the comments about the failures of Culture and Sport Glasgow:
CSG is a private company run by businessmen to extract a profit from the people of Glasgow: it is not interested in subsidising reduced entry fees for low/non-earners. In fact it is quite the opposite: like any business they will focus on delivering services at high-cost/profit for high-earners in order to maximise profit, that's just simple economics!
[bold]Thus if you are not a high-earner, paying full fees, then you are basically not really 'wanted' by Culture ans Sport Glasgow.[/bold]
Re the comments about the failures of Culture and Sport Glasgow:
CSG is a private company run by businessmen to extract a profit from the people of Glasgow: it is not interested in subsidising reduced entry fees for low/non-earners. In fact it is quite the opposite: like any business they will focus on delivering services at high-cost/profit for high-earners in order to maximise profit, that's just simple economics!
Thus if you are not a high-earner, paying full fees, then you are basically not really 'wanted' by Culture ans Sport Glasgow. Posted by: People Power, Glasgow on 4:55pm Wed 30 Apr 08
This comes as no surprise.
How are we the public supposed to feel motivated when some of our leisure facilities have become considerably worse in how they are run.
The way in which the Council has effectively carried out this tax-dodge, and sub-contracted out its spots and leisure facilities at arms length to "Culture And Sport" is a disgrace!
The Council may well still own the buildings, but the everyday running of them is what matters.
I have grave concerns about some leisure centres. Not least due to their level of cleanliness, the laziness of their staff: ie, them skiving in the health suite.
What kind of example can this set the customers who go to these facilities, when the staff are so apathetic, and scunnered by the subtle ways the management are trying to change the wording of their contracts.
If people are to change their ways, and become more active and participatory - they must see the staff of sports centres, and parks take the lead, and show far more enthusiasm.
Not the apathetic, annoyed look about some of them, which paints a different picture from what the new management want people to see.
[bold]Roll on 2014's Commonwealth Games - Aye right!
That will be the day. . . .[/bold]
Lets start with our own people first, and get them more fit, active and healthy - but not merely through ploughing money into leisure centres.
Money isn't the answer to everything, just as taxation of every aspect of peoples lives won't makes them upstanding, and fully law abiding people.
Improve the attitudes of staff generally, and look at ensuring we retain the minimum time for gym periods in schools.
Abolishing that as Alex Salmond seems to be doing, is criminal, and will see more tubby, and overweight primary school children.
But - our parents can't afford to be sloppy or lazy either, as kids just copy the same patterns of behaviour.
Lets raise Glasgows game, and see it flourish once more - if only for our future generations of kids who deserve a chance to be fit, healthy, and most important of all HAPPY!
This comes as no surprise.
How are we the public supposed to feel motivated when some of our leisure facilities have become considerably worse in how they are run.
The way in which the Council has effectively carried out this tax-dodge, and sub-contracted out its spots and leisure facilities at arms length to "Culture And Sport" is a disgrace!
The Council may well still own the buildings, but the everyday running of them is what matters.
I have grave concerns about some leisure centres. Not least due to their level of cleanliness, the laziness of their staff: ie, them skiving in the health suite.
What kind of example can this set the customers who go to these facilities, when the staff are so apathetic, and scunnered by the subtle ways the management are trying to change the wording of their contracts.
If people are to change their ways, and become more active and participatory - they must see the staff of sports centres, and parks take the lead, and show far more enthusiasm.
Not the apathetic, annoyed look about some of them, which paints a different picture from what the new management want people to see.
Roll on 2014's Commonwealth Games - Aye right!
That will be the day. . . .
Lets start with our own people first, and get them more fit, active and healthy - but not merely through ploughing money into leisure centres.
Money isn't the answer to everything, just as taxation of every aspect of peoples lives won't makes them upstanding, and fully law abiding people.
Improve the attitudes of staff generally, and look at ensuring we retain the minimum time for gym periods in schools.
Abolishing that as Alex Salmond seems to be doing, is criminal, and will see more tubby, and overweight primary school children.
But - our parents can't afford to be sloppy or lazy either, as kids just copy the same patterns of behaviour.
Lets raise Glasgows game, and see it flourish once more - if only for our future generations of kids who deserve a chance to be fit, healthy, and most important of all HAPPY!
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