The Play and Leisure Implementation Plan - March 2011

http://www.northernireland.gov.uk/index/media-centre/executive-publications/the-play-and-leisure-implementation-plan.htm

The Play and Leisure Implementation Plan aims to see a high value placed on play and improved play and leisure facilities for all children and young people in order to support their development, enjoyment and growth. OFMDFM carried out extensive consultation on the plan, including several events for young people.
The Plan states that its Actions include ensuring that the principles of children and young person friendly design are considered and integrated into any future review of the relevant planning policy statements. Basically, this means that when designing leisure facilities, and im my case, swimming pools, I must consider the wants and needs of young people and families. This is what I have based my design project on and so I personally won't have a problem with this. However, I am very glad to see that the problems I have found with public swimming pool facilities have also been taken into account by the government and that they are taking measures to improve facilities for families.
Another of the plans Actions is premoting the use of child friendly, accessible evaluation tools within public spaces to determine satisfaction levels and identify ways of making public spaces more welcoming to children and young people. In other words my pool must be easily accessed by children and the environment must make children feel comfortable and confident. Surveys could be carried out in order to try and narrow down what is needed and what is not and if there are any luxery accessories that could be added.
Another Action is to encourage beneficial health aspects of play and leisure. We all know that swimming is extremely good exercise, in fact, one of the best methods of exercise. Swimming practically works every muscle in your body, it can improve body strength and cardiovalascular fitness and endurance. It is extremely good for your heart and lungs and causes less strain on joints and muscles than running or other exercises. Aswell as all the physical benefits, there are many physcological benefits too. Swimming can be very relaxing and theraputic and people find it is a nice time to be alone with yourself and your thoughts.