Freshwater Parish Council has continued its financial support of West Wight Sports & Community Centre with 4 grants totalling £38,500. Across 2023/24, the Parish Council has donated £10,000 for the Community Connector role, £10,000 for a Changing Places facility, £8,500 for a new chemical dosing system for the learner pool, and £10,000 for installing solar panels to heat the swimming pools. Thanks to the ongoing support, the Centre, led by Manager Clare Griffin, is well-equipped to continue its vital role in the community, offering improved facilities and support for all users. Changing Places Facility The Changing Places facility, part of a national initiative, offers enhanced toilet facilities for disabled individuals and those with long-term health conditions. It includes a ceiling-track hoist, an adjustable changing bench, an accessible toilet, a height-adjustable wash basin, and other essential equipment like grab rails, a colostomy bag shelf, and emergency alarms. This facility aims to provide comprehensive and comfortable support for those with special needs. 
Community Connector The Community Connector role, filled by Adam Tucker since 2019, provides support to any local resident, regardless of their circumstances. Initially funded by the Isle of Wight Council, this role continued with the Parish Council’s support, especially crucial during the pandemic and the current cost of living crisis. In the past year, Adam has assisted over 160 individuals one-on-one, helping them overcome various issues and become more connected to their community. He also collaborates with local schools to address the needs of the youth, fostering opportunities for their development. Adam’s visible presence at the weekly Our Place community café, which hosts 15 organizations offering face-to-face support, underscores the role’s success and continuity in the community. Chemical Dosing System for the Learner Pool The new Ezetrol touch controller for the learner pool is a sophisticated disinfection system that monitors chlorine levels, pH, and temperature, ensuring accurate chemical dosing. The current system, over 30 years old, is unreliable, posing health risks and increasing operational costs due to higher staff monitoring and inconsistent chemical usage. The upgraded system promises stable measurement and efficient operation, crucial for a pool used by young children, disabled swimmers, and for aquatic therapy. 
Installation of Solar Panels West Wight Sports & Community Centre secured £86,000 from Sport England to install 74kWp of photovoltaic panels, expected to generate 50MWh annually. This will reduce gas consumption, saving approximately 8,000 tons of CO2 and £2,700 annually, assuming 80% boiler efficiency. To optimize the solar PV benefits, the Centre will install electric pre-heaters to manage gas boiler load, using automatic sensing and switching to align with PV generation.
PARISH COUNCIL’S CONTINUED SUPPORT HELPS IMPROVEMENTS AT WEST WIGHT SPORTS & COMMUNITY CENTRE
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I am sure that many West Wight residents who do not use the sport centre will be pleased to see their parish council tax frittered away like this.
Here is an idea ~ make people pay to use the sport centre to cover the costs, don’t increase the precept for residents who don’t want it.
I had to Bing search what a community connector was. The island council decided that it was not a justified role, but freshwater parish council decided that the sport centre should employ their friend and they have stumped up £20000 each year to cover the wage for him to tell people what is going on in the area and what help there is for them.
A Bing search does the same thing and is free. Everybody has access to the internet these days.!
An overpriced “gym” a pool that you have to book to swim in,a “manager” with her head in the sand,and quite a rude person too,sports centre?
hardly,more of a pop in parlour for the pensioners,they are even still practicing some “covid” rules,blind sheep springs to mind.
The other thing is,both totland and freshwater parish councils are run by people of a certain “age” that are majority tory voters(deluded) and some have links to,or are freemasons,
so not really representing the community,only themselves.
we need to sort the immagration problem out before anything on the island
I’ve recently discovered what a wonderful facility the local community sport centre is. It is astonishingly well used by an extremely broad range of local people, from toddlers to OAPs .
There’s even an indoor flying club for model aeroplanes!
It really Is a fantastic community hub.
I would encourage anyone to visit and use the facilities, especially people who are lonely, suffering from mental health issues, struggling to lose weight etc. This centre would certainly help you and for those of you who are anxious to make that first step through the door – don’t worry, the staff are always really helpful and friendly.
This is exactly what our council should be spending our money on- well done!
The photo would be better if the oik that is jarman wasnt in it,this tool is getting as bad as seely for a photo op,a tory in disguise,wont rest until he is council leader,abhorrent “human”