Tooting Bec Athletics Track holds many memories and purposes for a variety of people. For the locals, it may encapsulate the development of sporting skills and abilities or enable someone to explore their hobbies to a greater extent, each aspect serving a unique motivation that captivates the culture of our local community.

 

This month, it was revealed that the Conservative Party, who have the majority on the council, are considering a closure of Tooting Bec Athletics Track as well as many other resources within the borough of Wandsworth. This caused a great deal of distress for members of the neighbourhood due to it holding such significance within the area. Hannah Sharp, a former pupil of Saint Anselm’s Primary School in Tooting Bec explained that the track “holds sentimental value for past and present students” as this is where the school sports day would usually occur.

 

As Tooting Bec is a small sector of London, it holds its name for the lush green and sporting facilities it has to offer. So, if this provision is to be taken away from this area then it would seem that Tooting Bec wouldn’t have a great deal to advance the competitive society we currently live in.

 

Moreover, according to the Health and Social Care Information Centre’s statistics, obesity is on the rise. In 1993, 57.6% of adults were classified as overweight (including obese), which then rose to 66.6% of adults being classified as overweight (including obese) in 2012. These statistics are shocking and with facilities that encourage physical activity to be carried out at risk of being closed down, we must fear that there will be an even greater rise to the total number of children and adults suffering with obesity in the future.

 

With this in mind, please keep Tooting Bec Athletics Track open!

 

By Maeve Larkin, Ursuline High School