Islington Councillor Diarmaid Ward recently inquired about the usage of the Sobell Centre's new facilities during a council meeting.
Following a period of closure due to flooding in August 2022, the Sobell Centre reopened with upgraded facilities, aiming to continue its role as a vital community hub. The revamped centre boasts an Active Play Zone, a Multi Active Zone, a new sports hall, a dedicated gymnastics area, a new cafe, and updated changing rooms.
Councillor Ward directed his question to Councillor Dr Sara Hyde, Executive Member for Health and Social Care, focusing on the utilisation of the new Active Play and Active Multi Zone by Islington families since their opening.
Councillor Hyde responded that the Active Play Zone, which opened on 26 October of the previous year, has recorded an impressive 143,773 visits. The Multi Active Zone, opening its doors on 10 May of this year, has already seen 59,131 visits. The Sobell Centre has also hosted 8,299 children at parties.
Councillor Hyde also highlighted the Bright Start programme, where the under-5 team allocates 50 free tickets every Wednesday for their service users. This partnership, in place since January, has facilitated 2,666 free visits for children and their parents.
In total, Councillor Hyde stated that the Active Play and Active Multi Zone facilities have collectively seen 213,869 visits. She emphasised that it is really powerful to see it continue its legacy as a place for both local residents and other inner London families to get access.
Beyond the Active Play and Multi Active Zones, the new sports hall is enabling existing sports that were already running, and new sports, including things like handball and netball, as well as a dedicated gymnastics area, which has already seen 536 young people participating in new programmes there.
The Sobell Centre is also running a more inclusive programme of sports and activities, including disabled basketball and social pickleball. While the Bright Start programme provides free tickets to some low-income families, the meeting information does not provide information on other measures to ensure accessibility to low-income families.
