The first summer of Summer move in Lidköping was a success, with around 16 000 visits. The outdoor playing field at Ågårdsområdet was transformed into a meeting place for people of all ages who want to move and try different activities. Summer move will of course return in 2025.
Lidköping municipality is a pilot municipality in Make a Move and opened the doors to Summer Move in May last year. At the beginning of September it was time to close and when the association developer Ingela Ivarsson and the supervisor Elina Forsell summarize the first season, the grade is:
"Beyond expectations. It's been full speed all the time and it's great fun," they both say.
Visitors have been able to try out a variety of activities, such as roller skating, basketball and mini tennis. Equipment has been available to borrow free of charge through the Fritidsbank branch on site.
"It has worked very well. What has been lent out has been returned and there has been no vandalism. What has not been available through Fritidsbanken, we have purchased," says Elina Forsell.
Ingela and Elina are not the only ones happy with Summer move - visitors have also been positive. Via a QR code, they have been able to give ratings and also answer which activity they like the most. A full 84% gave Summer move a five out of five. The most popular activity was kickbike, followed by basketball and the obstacle course.
"One thing that surprised us was that chess was so popular among children and young people. We hadn't really expected that, but they knew the rules and seemed to be interested in it," says Elina Forsell.
The activity area has been free and open every day. Most of the visitors have been children and young people, but the hope is that people of all ages will feel welcome.
"Although there will be a lot of focus on young people, this is an area for everyone, we also want seniors to discover Summer move. We will try to reach out to them next year so that they will also be interested in coming here", says Ingela Ivarsson.
All schools in the municipality of Lidköping have been invited and 2 800 pupils have been present. The associations in the municipality have been given the chance to come to the area and let visitors try out different sports.
"But we've also noticed that many people who don't belong to an association have found their way here and that's really nice. One reason for this may be that it's free. Not everyone may be able to join an association, so this is a great alternative if you want to get active," says Ingela Ivarsson.
Ingela and Ellina have already started planning for next year. For example, they want more activities for younger children and for people with disabilities. They also hope to increase cooperation with associations in the municipality.
It seems to have been a summer without any major obstacles. The only problem they can think of is - the wind.
"Yes, you'd think it would be calm in this place with so many buildings around. But sometimes it's been really windy and the artificial grass and floor have actually lifted off the ground. We haven't been able to anchor it to the ground because it's above the ice surface and we can't make holes in the ground, so that's something we'll have to think about for next year," says Ingela Ivarsson.
They hope to welcome even more visitors next year.
"We think it will be easier to reach out now that more people know what it's all about. The fact that we had so many visits already in the first season is really good and it will be exciting to see what happens next year," says Ingela Ivarsson.
Around 40 holiday interns have been working during the summer, helping visitors.
What a great initiative that has had many good effects!
