“Bald people always look old”: Nigel Farage on politics, policies and male pattern baldness Read the full interview on page 9
The University of Exeter’s Independent Student Newspaper
Since 1987
Wednesday 8 May 2013 • Issue 608 • www.exepose.ex.ac.uk • Twitter: @Exepose • www.facebook.com/Exepose
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Sports Park prices to rise
Photo: Niklas Rahmel
• Peak prices to rise by 31.6% • Off-peak prices up 59% • All AU clubs to increase membership fees by £20 Owen Keating, News Editor Jon Jenner, Editor SPORTS PARK prices are increasing from this September, to reflect its new and improved facilities. The Sports Park is currently undergoing an £8million redevelopment, to be completed by the start of the next academic year. The most noticeable price hikes will affect those students who use the gym on a “pay-as-you-go” basis. The peak time price will rise from £3.80 to £5, an increase of 31.6 per cent, while the off-peak price will rise to £3.50 from its current price of £2.20, an increase of 59 per cent. Those who pay their membership fees annually will also be affected. Gold membership will cost £240, up from £225, while Platinum membership will cost £300, as opposed to its current cost of £280. Helen Schnabel, a second year student who currently uses a standard membership, said: “considering the improvement to facilities, I can understand prices being raised, though it does seem like a deterrent to those keen to start using the facilities on a more casual basis”. These facilities include treadmills, exercise bikes and rowing machines with built in televisions, some of which will also feature internet functionality. The gym will feature 200 stations; this is more than double the current gym’s
90, split across two floors, with the top floor focusing on cardiovascular equipment and the bottom on free weights. The current gym will be converted into a “high-performance centre”. The building will be known as the “Russell Seal Health and Fitness Centre”, named after the former chairman of the University Council and key fundraiser for the Sports Park redevelopment. Standard memberships, which are currently priced at £40, are compulsory for every member of an AU society, with the money being used to cover the cost of pitch and equipment hire for the clubs. Next year, this cost will be split: each AU team will add £20 to the cost of their current membership fee to cover costs, while AU members can pay a further £22 to obtain a standard Sports Park membership, making a standard membership cost £42 in total for an AU club member. Non-AU club members who wish to purchase a standard membership will pay £22, a saving of 45 per cent on this year. Phil Attwell, Director of Sport, said: “[The Sports Park] have had protracted and healthy discussions with the AU Executive about charges, recognising the extra costs in running a bigger facility while wanting to ensure that our students get excellent value for what I think will be the best gym in the South West, and probably, the best University gym in the UK.” CONTINUED ON PAGE 2
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Music: Interview with indie popsters Little Comets - PAGE 14
Sport: Takes an exclusive look inside the new gym - PAGE 30-31
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