Grand opening of UK’s first ‘PLAYCE’ in Portsmouth

A special ribbon cutting ceremony has taken place today (19 July), to celebrate the official opening of the UK’s first PLAYCE.

Portsmouth was chosen as the city to be home to a multi-movement activity space, built using a pioneering scientific model for movement called the Athletic Skills Model (ASM).

The versatile public area has been constructed in Lords Court, Landport, after the council approved the use of the site.

Its purpose is to get people moving by challenging them to think outside the box when it comes to physical activity. It has been designed in a way that anyone can use the space, from young and old and with all skill levels, including those with disabilities and additional needs. 

Science is involved in the layout, so that basic forms of movement, including balancing, climbing, throwing, frolicking, jumping, etc., can be done. These are known as the ASM’s fundamental 10.

The idea originated in the Netherlands, where more than 50 PLAYCEs and Skill Gardens have been built in schools, hospitals, sport clubs, and public spaces.

The city’s Lord Mayor, Councillor Jason Fazackarley, and former Portsmouth FC player Alan Edward Knight MBE will officially open the PLAYCE to the public on Friday afternoon (19 July). People living in the surrounding area are invited to come down and try it out. 

The project is a collaboration between the University of Portsmouth, Portsmouth City Council (PCC), and the Athletic Skills Model (ASM) Company, and is being led by Dr Martina Navarro and Dr Chad Witcher.

Dr Martina Navarro, from the School of Psychology, Sport and Health Sciences at the University of Portsmouth, wanted to bring it to the city after seeing its success abroad. As a former Olympic athlete, competing in Taekwondo for Brazil at the Beijing games in 2008, she is passionate about getting people moving.

She said: “The Athletic Skills Model is a different way of thinking about movement, sports, physical education and healthcare. As an example, if PE teachers and coaches encouraged us to practise a range of basic skills, such as jumping and balancing embedded in a wide variety of sports, people are more likely to become better sportsmen and women.”

Part of the PLAYCE was painted by local artist Mark Kellet, owner of an independently run business based just outside Portsmouth called Mark Kellett Art.

It has been funded by the University of Portsmouth and supported by external organisations, including Portsmouth City Council, the NIHR and South Western Railway Customer and Communities Improvement Fund (CCIF), which donated £76,000 to the project last year. The money has been spent on community consultations and engagement, and the design and construction. The council is undertaking the build on behalf of the University, working with Sorcha Sports and Purkiss Builders.

Peter Wiliams, South Western Railway’s Customer and Commercial Director said: “South Western Railway’s Customer and Community Improvement Fund is our commitment to funding projects that make a tangible difference to local communities across our network. 

“We’re absolutely delighted to have been able to play a part in the building of Britain’s first PLAYCE and to help provide a new and innovative way for residents of all ages to be active in a specially designed space".

Additional funding from the council's public health team has also trained a number of local community representatives and exercise professionals in ASM theory and principles, so they can optimise both the use of the PLAYCE and apply the knowledge within their own setting. Funding was also secured to improve the area surrounding the site, through greening it, making it more visually appealing and climate friendly.

Future plans for the PLAYCE could include school, sports clubs, health centres, sports coaches and informal carers using it to carry out their training or exercise programmes.  

Cllr Darren Sanders, Cabinet Member for Housing and Preventing Homelessness, said: “I'm pleased to say we're leading the way by providing an eye-catching and innovative exercise space that is free to use for all our residents. The location of the space, in the heart of the city and close to lots of housing, is a choice that my fellow councillors and I hope will encourage more people to enjoy play and free movement as part of their daily routines.”

Both the physical health, and mental wellbeing benefits of being active cannot be overlooked, given physical inactivity is associated with 1 in 6 deaths in the UK.

Portsmouth is one of the first universities to develop a Civic Partnership Agreement with partners in the local community and region to promote inclusion and enrich economic, social and cultural life. Its goal is for education and research knowledge and skills to benefit the Portsmouth Harbour region and surrounding areas.

Professor Anne Murphy, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education) said: “The PLAYCE Pompey is a great example of how the University encourages collaboration within our region with organisations and residents, to help the area flourish. We are actively contributing to the economic, social, and cultural vitality of our community, to ensure we are a University for Portsmouth.”

For more information, to view the designs and leave feedback online, visit the Portsmouth PLAYCE website here.

People can also follow the PLAYCE on Instagram and Facebook.