More take part in sport

The number of people using Active Stirling’s sports facilities has increased by a staggering 135 per cent in the last four years.

It was reported this week that Scottish people have been going to the gym in record numbers since the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

And Stirling was among the places which saw the highest increase in the amount of people taking up physical activity.

Active Stirling said they have seen a 135 per cent increase in participation across the Stirling Sports Village and city venues.

They say that this growth represents an increase in the number of people using the gym, fitness classes and swimming and skating facilities, in addition to programmes for people with complex medical conditions and community buggy walks.

The organisation added that since the academic year 2013/2014 they, Sportscotland and Stirling Council have achieved 30 per cent growth in the number of children taking part in sport before school, at lunchtime and after school.

Matthew Bunnell of Active Stirling said: “We are delighted to have achieved this growth in participation and activity over the last few years and are excited to continue working in partnership with Stirling Council ensuring that Stirling is the preferred destination for sport, physical activity and wellbeing services”.

The Observer reported in September that attendance at indoor sport and leisure facilities in January- March 2017 was 2361 for every 1000 people, down on 3295 per 1000 for the same period in 2016.

Figures for swimming pools were also down from 887 to 817 for every 1000 people during the same period.

Council officials said the drop was down to the Active Stirling team having to draw up a new tender.

The services were put out to tender in 2015 and awarded to a private firm, sparking outrage and a 1800-signature public petition in support of Active Stirling.

Councillors then decided to work towards setting up a charitable trust to run the services.