Jemma Reekie helps open new Garnock Valley outdoor gym

Jemma represented Great Britain at the Tokyo 2021 Olympic Games and holds the woman’s British record for the mile.

The 24-year-old developed her early career at the gym and will compete for Scotland at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham this year.

Jemma said: “I am thrilled to open this wonderful facility that I hope will help develop future athletes, just as the gym helped me develop my career as a professional athlete. I also believe that this new outdoor gym will support local people to improve their fitness for many years to come.”

The outdoor gym was developed as a partnership between local charities Radio City Association and Garnock Valley Health and Fitness Centre.

Allan Wilson, director of Radio City Association, said: “This will be a great addition to the Garnock Valley as we continue to develop our Mobility Hub and create a 20-Minute Neighbourhood and will assist in our goal of improving community wellbeing. I’d also like to thank ETHX Energy and Ayrshire Tree Surgeons for the donation of woodchip to assist in surfacing the outdoor gym.”

Scott Wilson, Radio City’s community liaison officer, said: “The gym includes variety of equipment that can help provide social prescriptions, including assisting in patient convalescence from a multitude of conditions ranging from cardiovascular health to improving mobility through physiotherapy referrals as well as equipment for children to learn the basics of future physical activity.”

Thomas Payne, of Garnock Valley Health and Fitness Centre, said: “This is a great expansion to our existing facility that will give access to the whole Garnock Valley community across all ages and abilities to fitness equipment and also encourage more local people to become active and maintain their fitness as well as assist others who are in recovery from health conditions.”

The project was funded by the Scottish Government Communities Renewal Fund run by CEIS and ‘Paths For All’.