Southampton R&B star opens new outdoor gym in Milllbrook (From Daily Echo)

Southampton R&B star opens new outdoor gym in Milllbrook

2:11pm Wednesday 10th March 2010 in

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HE is the award winning R&B superstar who is no stranger to keeping fit.

Now Southampton’s music sensation Craig David has given the seal of approval to a new £150,000 outdoor gym facility, which has transformed a city park.

Dropping in on Mansel Park in Millbrook, the singer who had a number one hit with Fill Me In was greeted by screaming school children and their parents as he pumped some iron on the all weather fitness equipment.

Praising the facility, Craig, 28, who has played alongside footballing hero Alan Shearer and tried his hand at boxing for television shows, said it was a vital asset to youngsters in the city to help keep them active.

“Today you can get home from school and play football with people around the world on your Playstation and not even think about going outside for a game.

“But investment in things like this is great for getting everybody out and keeping fit.

“With adidas behind it and the names that people connect with them also gives it that factor of being cool and kids can look at those sporting heroes and be inspired to be more like them.

“When I was a child we would play football anywhere and often jumped fences to play on cricket pitches because it was a good surface, only to get shouted off by a groundskeeper. With the adiZone they have a really impressive facility to use,” he added.

Joining Craig for the launch were a host of sporting celebrities including Southampton’s Olympic diver Pete Waterfield and Saints keeper Kelvin Davis, and British track and field athlete Mo Farah.

Southampton beat off competition from across the UK to receive the sporting facility which is part of the city’s commitment to sport ahead of the London 2012 Olympics.

The all-weather gym includes a treadmill, exercise bikes, cross-trainers and equipment for all ages to pump some iron.

It also has basketball and tennis courts, a climbing wall and an area for dance and aerobics which youngsters from the Jade Millington Dance school displayed some impressive routines in front of their audience of music and sports stars.

There were also demonstrations from Millbrook’s Golden Ring boxing club as well as a range of health and advice stalls for residents who crowded the park to catch a glimpse of the opening ceremony.

Southampton City Council and the Department for Children, Schools and Family have each put £75,000 towards the project which also has CCTV and lighting.