Comment: Wider access to facilities

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an HSE official charged with health promotion has called for schools halls, playgrounds and other facilities to be opened after hours in order that communities can use them for sporting activities, in the ongoing campaign against childhood obesity.

an HSE official charged with health promotion has called for schools halls, playgrounds and other facilities to be opened after hours in order that communities can use them for sporting activities, in the ongoing campaign against childhood obesity.

It is an idea that has much merit and common sense. In his letter to Junior Sports Minister, Michael Ring, Dr Nazih Eldin points out that the government has already paid for many facilities in the community, ranging from the aforementioned schools halls, playgrounds and a host of other facilities.

He says that increased and wider access to these would help the organisations involved in sport and physical activity to get people more proactive.

Why should a school sports hall lie idle once the school day comes to an end, or during holiday periods? When these facilities are there, they should be available to the public and various organisations, and employed to their maximum.