CAMBRIDGE City Council is running a series of six free family sports events this summer, with each date offering activities for the whole family to take part in.
The series starts on Saturday 17 June, from midday to 4pm, with an activity day on Chesterton Recreation Ground to re-open the newly refurbished Chesterton Pavilion at 2pm. The pavilion will be opened by the Mayor of Cambridge, Cllr Jenny Gawthrope-Wood, with special guest Lucy Parker, West Ham United defender and former Chesterton Eagles player.
Chesterton Eagles Football Club will be running a range of activities and refreshments, and there will also be activities led by other local clubs including Cambridge Tennis Academy, Kinnerz Coaching, Shredder Skate School and Cambridge Rugby Club; as well as local exercise instructors running ‘rock stick fitness’ at 1pm, yoga at 1.30pm and salsa aerobics at 2pm.
A sports area will also offer a play zone with skipping ropes, space hoppers, hula hoops, rebounders, catch pads, a table tennis table and many more games to try; plus an orienteering challenge which will run throughout the afternoon.
Cambridge African Network will be supporting the event, offering African dance and cultural performances, music and dance skills workshops and African and Caribbean food to try. There will also be food vendors to buy food from or people are welcome to bring picnics.
The dates and locations for the rest of the series of free sports events are as follows, with each event running from 10am to 1pm:
- Tuesday 1 August, Coldham’s Common and Abbey Leisure Centre
- Tuesday 8 August, Trumpington Recreation Ground and Pavilion
- Tuesday 15 August, St Albans Recreation Ground and Meadows Community Centre
- Tuesday 22 August, Storey’s Field playing fields and community centre
- Tuesday 29 August, Cherry Hinton Recreation Ground and village centre.
Cllr Mairéad Healy, Executive Councillor for Communities, said: “It won’t be long now until the summer holidays when families will be looking for things to do. This series of events is worth putting in the diary now as it will help keep the kids entertained during the holiday, and it’s also a great way for the whole family to spend time together doing something fun.
“We’re particularly excited about the Chesterton event on Saturday, with special guest Lucy joining the Mayor to officially re-open the pavilion. The investment in the new facilities will be such a boost for Chesterton. We’re committed to working towards a situation where all residents can participate in their local community and access activities to support their wellbeing. Providing the right, high quality spaces to allow communities to come together is an important part of this.”
The Chesterton Pavilion extension and refurbishment has been funded by Section 106 developer contributions, which are intended to mitigate the impact of new development by providing additional local facilities or improving existing ones.
The pavilion now has a large community room, upgraded changing rooms and toilets, and new secure storage for football clubs using the recreation ground. A new kitchenette facility and servery along with a new veranda balcony will allow users and parents watching football games to enjoy refreshments whilst relaxing outside with a view across the Recreation Ground.
Find out more about a range of free events run or supported by the council this summer.
Cambridge City Council offers wider opportunities for residents to take part in free or heavily subsidised physical activity and to learn about healthy eating.
