The John Orwell Sports Centre
The John Orwell Sports Centre is situated in the center of Wapping. The center facilities contain a tailor made fifty-five plus station gym which presents an astonishing view of the ever changing London skyline, an extensive selection of complimentary weights and a group workout studio scheduling daily classes. The facility’s personal trainers are readily available to assist people in achieving their health and fitness objectives, whatever they may be (Chadwick, 2012). The facility has a well-known four court sports hall with markings for basketball, badminton, and volleyball and also has an outside Astroturf pitch for hockey and football use, together with a versatile games area with markings for tennis and netball. For children, the facility presents football and basketball courses (Chan, 2013). Gymnastics and trampoline courses are also available for an entertainment and progressive manner to stay fit, enhance flexibility and learn latest tricks and skills. The center is also the ideal place for kids’ birthday parties (Chappelet, 2013).
The first component of this sports facility is the gym. Whether one is taking the initial steps on his/her fitness journey or wants to give shape to his/her body, everything is offered in the John Orwell Sports Centre gym. One will find devoted sessions for kids and seniors, as well as for female members. The timings of the gym are from 7 am to 10 pm and the price is 30 pounds per month (Clow and Edmunds, 2014). The second component is the studio. The studio is the nerve center of the facility. It sets alive when the fitness classes start. The classes are offered at different times of the day of twenty to sixty minutes duration catering not only to the beginners but also at the advanced level. The classes are held a number of times a day between 7 am and 10 pm. One can attend such classes in 30 pounds per month. The third component of the sports facility is the pitches for adults and used for football, rugby, cricket and netball (Cowell, 2011). The iconic Hackney Marshes contain fifty-eight pitches. In addition to that, there is a modern floodlit 3G Astroturf for playing hockey. The cost of using these pitches is 50 pounds per month and the facility can be used between 7 am and 10 pm. The fourth component of the sports center is the sports hall. It is a multi-sport facility containing a football, a basketball and a volleyball court and four badminton courts. Space also houses table tennis (Foster, O'Reilly, and Dávila, 2016). The sports hall timings are from 7 am to 10 pm and it costs 34 pounds per month. This particular facility is meant for seniors/adults of age 18 and above. The fifth and final component of the John Orwell Sports Centre is the personal training. The personal instructors offer exercise programs pertaining to every area of general fitness and are always present to motivate and support people need. The personal trainers operate from 7 am to 10 pm and the facility costs 65 pounds per month. This option can be used by both male and female seniors aged 18 and above (Ganzit and Stefanini, 2012).
Figure 1: Swimming Facility at John Orwell Sports Centre
Source: (Org, 2016)
The non-sports facilities include junior swimming sessions and super sports activities that include athletics, gymnastics, and tennis. There are gymnastics courses for adults too. This facility costs 45 pounds and 70 pounds for kids and adults, respectively. A Performing Arts program is in place for age 15 and above where dance, music, and drama courses are taught in a secure learning environment (Jordan, 2011). In addition to the above, there is a soft play area for children under five years of age offering a number of unique benefits. The kids can climb, jump, swing and hang thus building strength, balance, and coordination. This facility is available to kids from 9 am to 6 pm at a cost of 15 pounds per month. Furthermore, there is a well-equipped library too to help people of all ages exercise the mind. This particular facility contains the latest best-sellers on the shelves. The library comprises of computers with internet access plus eBooks, audio, and DVDs. It operates from 9 am to 6 pm and costs 35 pounds per month (Trenberth and Hassan, 2011).
Figure 2: Toy Library
Source: (Org, 2016)
Figure 3: John Orwell Studio
Source: (Org, 2016)
The origin of the idea of establishing a sports center with facilities for people of all age groups dates back to the early medical and health researchers who discovered that all human beings irrespective of their ages or fitness levels require some sort of moderate or vigorous physical activity to remain active and perform well in their respective fields. According to latest research studies, the children and adolescents should spend at least one hour a day or more than that in different types of physical activities, out of which most of the time should be consumed in modest- or strong intensity aerobic activities. They should take part in such activity on at least three days of the week. Healthy adults should walk briskly for thirty minutes a day, five days a week; a high-power spinning exercise a single day for forty-five minutes, plus a 30-minute jog on alternate days, or some different combination of modest and strong activity. Healthy older adults who suffer from chronic conditions should be as physically fit as their situations permit. Individuals with arthritis or type-2 diabetes should consult their doctor about the quantum and type of activity that is appropriate. Older adults who face a danger of falling should engage in activities that improve balance (Westerbeek, 2011).
References
Chadwick, S. (2012). Sports business and management research in the twenty-first century: heading from west to east? Sport, Business and Management: An International Journal, 2(1).
Chan, H. (2013). Physical activity guidelines: How much exercise do you need? | The Nutrition Source | Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. [Online] Hsph.harvard.edu. Available at: https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/2013/11/20/physical-activity-guidelines-how-much-exercise-do-you-need/ [Accessed 15 Aug. 2016].
Chappelet, J. (2013). Managing sports business: an introduction. European Sport Management
Quarterly, 13(5), pp.602-604.
Clow, A. and Edmunds, S. (2014). Physical activity and mental health. Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics.
Cowell, H. (2011). Physical activity guidelines for Americans and a review of scientific literature used. Hauppauge, N.Y.: Nova Science Publishers.
Foster, G., O'Reilly, N. and Dávila, A. (2016). Sports business management. London: Routledge.
Ganzit, G. and Stefanini, L. (2012). Cardiovascular diseases and physical activity. Torino: SEEd.
Jordan, L. (2011). Sports event management. Farnham, Surrey, England: Ashgate Pub.
Org, B. (2016). Facilities at John Orwell Sports Centre | Tower Hamlets | Better. [Online] Better.org.uk. Available at: http://www.better.org.uk/venues/john-orwell-sports-centre/facilities [Accessed 15 Aug. 2016].
Trenberth, L. and Hassan, D. (2011). Managing sport business. Milton Park, Abingdon, Oxon: Routledge.
Westerbeek, H. (2011). Global sport business. London: Routledge.
