A NEW outdoor gym is coming to Coley Recreation Ground, and residents are invited to have their say on their preferred design.

The west Reading park has been earmarked for a £65K investment, and the new gym will be designed to offer free fitness for all.

The council has invited a number of specialist manufacturers to submit proposed design ideas for the gym, which will be used to consult with local residents and school children.

St Mary and All Saints Primary School in Coley Park will be displaying the shortlisted designs.

Children at the school will use ballot boxes and voting slips to choose their preferred option by June 18.

The designs will be available for the public to view and vote on at both schools, as well at Coley Park Community Centre until June 18.

They can also be viewed

online

.

The winning design will be announced on Monday, June 24.

It is anticipated that the work will start on site this September, and be ready for use by the half term week in October.

Cllr Karen Rowland, Reading's lead member for culture, heritage and recreation, said: "We know that parks are one of the most valued amenities in Reading.

"It is one of our key priorities that we provide high quality, accessible equipment in as many of our parks as possible.

"This is an exciting and worthwhile investment and will benefit large numbers local people for years to come – offering and encouraging free fitness opportunities for all.

"I'm delighted that we are able to put such a significant sum into Coley Recreation Ground and I'm really pleased we've been able to engage local school children in voting for their favourite design.

"I'd encourage local residents to check out our shortlisted designs at St Mary and All Saints Primary School and at Coley Park Community Centre or online at www.reading.gov.uk/coleygym where you can vote and comment on the designs."

Funding for playground improvements across the borough has been secured by the council from developers who made a contribution to the council's Community Infrastructure Fund.

Reading communities were consulted last summer on how money collected from local planning developments should be spent.

The top ranked schemes, including Coley Recreation Ground, were approved at the Council's Policy Meeting in November.

Policy Committee agreed that £65,000K be invested to improve Coley Recreation Ground.