AN OUTDOOR gym has been unveiled in Alva and will afford people the opportunity to workout while enjoying a spectacular view of the Ochil Hills.

Located in the Cochrane Park, the new equipment includes an air walker, ski stepper, rower, twister, sit-up bench and the pendulum which are all fixed on rubber grass matting.

The gym was established by Alva Community Council which was given £5000 from Ochil Leisure Enterprises following the closure of the Ochil Leisure Centre, formerly Alva swimming pool.

A further grant of £2000 was received from the EDF Burnfoot Hill Community fund.

An opening event was held on Saturday, April 14, which gave adults and children alike the chance to hop into the gym and give it a whirl.

Lynn Cameron, vice-chair of the community council, said: "The people who came to the opening were enthusiastic about having a go on the equipment. Fortunately, it was a warm dry day for the turnout.

"We have already had comments from a young mum who has neither the time nor money for a gym membership so is looking forward to using the gym.

"It is good to be able to enjoy the view of the hills, fresh air and bird song while getting a workout as another keen gym user testified to.

"We hope that the locals will take ownership of the equipment and enjoy staying or getting healthy."

At the weekend, Sandra Rees, chair of the community council, introduced Alva’s very own Kenny Cook to the waiting crowd of around 50.

After saying a few words about the benefits of physical exercise Kenny, who is Clackmannanshire Council’s active community officer and a well-known athlete, cut the ribbon and opened the gym.

He said: "I was just asked to come along and open it because I used to run [in] the Alva Games and I won the senior hill race in 1986 – the only person from Alva that's every won it.

"[I] used to run all the highland games and then I stopped doing that and then I got working with the Clackmannanshire leisure services and sports development.

"I think it's a great idea to have it outdoors, it's a really good resource – obviously anybody can go along anytime they want."

The outdoor gym could be the first of its kind in Clacks and Kenny, who also won the Alva Games junior hill race in 1981 and 1982, said it is a good facility to have in the park.

He also hopes it will bring people into the town and pointed it that it is ideal for people to stop by when out on a walk or jogging.

The free-to-use outdoor gym is aimed at those aged 14 or over, or 1.4 meters in height (4’ 7”), and will contribute to the promotion of physical activity.

The community council would like to thank Mike Nicoll, the local authority’s landscape design officer, for his help, advice and guidance.

In order to collate information for Alva’s community action plan (CAPLan), published in 2015, the community council had surveyed people in the town.

Suggestions born from this included further investment in sport and leisure in the area and the desire for attractions such as an outdoor gym.

The CAPLan can be viewed online at alvacommunitycouncil.org.uk

Anyone wishing to join the steering group or find out more, please email info@alvacommunitycouncil.org.uk