Feast of fun at Sandys 360 festival

Sandys 360 celebrated its third birthday in style today— with an action-packed family fun and fitness festival.

The leisure centre’s all-day event focused on family activities and fitness, and featured aerobics, boxing demos, football, family relay races and a host of vendors selling healthy food and drink.

There were bouncy castles and slides, and among the local groups to perform were Socaerobics, who got the crowd moving with some funky routines, while MC Dem Biez kept things in order.

Community

Dr Melvin Bassett, managing director of Sandys360, was delighted with the turnout in what he emphasized was a community event.

He said: “We are just in a third year and we have done a great deal — but we are really just scratching the surface.”

He added: “Kids will be talking for years about the day mom ran race and came last — but they’re excited. This is just the start and I think it will grow from here. We’re just trying to different ways to save our community and save our kids.”

Dr Bassett also praised the vendors for turning out in force: “It’s not about money, it’s about getting the community together. Nobody came here thinking they were going to get rich today!”

Stephanie Lee, marketing and community co-ordinator, said: “The point is to get the community together and to take part in healthy activities as a family.

“We had some people doing fitness programmes, some jump rope… as well as family fun and fitness, the other part of the day is to show what we have to offer — we’re not just a gym. It’s been a highlight just being able too see everyone come out and be a part of Sandy360.”

Sandys 360 includes a basketball gym, 25m heated indoor pool and a fitness centre.

It also hosts a number of community activities, including after school and holiday camps, professional development courses and educational courses like GED classes and child development.

It runs special classes for seniors designed to help them keep fit and get the most out of their later years.

More information on Sandys 360  can be found at www.sandys360.bm.