Walk an indoor mile at the Exchange
STEP INTO SPRING: Walk an indoor mile at The Exchange
A pop-up indoor track has been created at The Exchange in Blackburn town centre as part of a community health promotion campaign dubbed ‘Step into Spring’.
On weekdays throughout March, workers in the town centre and other visitors are invited to use the weatherproof space to ‘get their steps in’ using the walking lanes of the newly marked out laps.
Director of Operations, Caer Butler said: ‘As part of the National Lottery funded programme of events to test out the uses of the building, we’re focussing on potential health and wellbeing opportunities of the hall.’
According to archive listings held by the community studies section of Blackburn Library, The Exchange was used for all kinds of different events. These included championship snooker matches, trade shows with engineering inventions and exhibits festivals, balls, markets and grand concerts with 50-piece orchestras.
Caer, who is also chair of Blackburn Harriers, has already tested out the track. A start and finish post has been added as well as a drinks station. People using the track will also be provided with a warm space to eat their own brought lunch and the MeeMaws café will be open to buy warm drinks such as lattes, cappuccino’s etc. after your walk.
She says: ‘As far as we know this is the first time the space has been used for people to come and exercise and keep fit. At this time of year, there are all sorts of charitable causes encouraging people to get sponsored for clocking up the miles. Preprinted sponsorship forms will be made available and there will be there to help to record your distances each day. People can raise money for a charity of their choice or to help raise money for The Exchange’s restoration charity, Re:Source. We’re delighted to welcome anyone to come in and use the track during our Step into Spring opening.’
The Exchange will be open on Monday to Friday between 12.30pm and 2pm starting on Friday 1 March. Entry is free.
Picture: Lisa Clarke, Heritage Volunteer Coordinator at The Exchange.