I CAN understand why opposition councillors raise questions about spending priorities at the council and about how long new facilities are fit for purpose for, but I am taken aback by their seeming disinterest in and lack of knowledge of modern sports which are more highly populated by our younger adults and teenagers in Bolton.

Young people have been hit quite hard by national government political decisions in England in recent years and they deserve a much better deal for their lives now. In 2016 the Bolton Conservatives view that sauna and steam in a quality leisure facility "is ridiculous" is another line from the Bolton Tories showing that they are out of touch on the lives of many Bolton residents.

At the Council budget meeting 2016 there was praise for the new 3G sports pitches from Conservatives but they, along with other opposition speakers, appeared to treat plans for people’s sports and gymnasium modernisation at Bolton One with contempt.

The opposition parties can’t even keep up with modern Bolton. Sitting in the council chamber listening to the speeches I thought it was cruel that one set of sports people were having their sport valued; field pitch sports, and others for whom gymnasium is paramount were not being recognised and nothing seems to have changed on that.

I am informed that sauna and steam is a mainstream part of athletics, personal training and sport in the UK today. Bolton University provides a Bachelor of Science degree in Sports Rehabilitation where the students know all about the science of steam and sauna. In sports medicine sauna is known as hypothermic conditioning and can improve athletic performance by rejuvenating muscles. A steam room provides wet heat which rectifies exercise induced skin related problems, stimulates subcutaneous blood flow and aids muscle healing. It is also evidenced based on body type that women who train find steam particularly beneficial in athletics and sport.

Cllr Sue Haworth

Harper Green ward