A ROW has broken out over problems with a new outdoor fitness centre on Canvey.

People living in streets surrounding Kismet Park at the far end of Eastern Esplanade, claim the £150,000 Adizone is attractings teenage vandals, from early evening to about 2am, drinking alcohol, throwing stones and causing trouble.

They have been campaigning for it to be moved and spokesman Colin Letchford, 62, of Maurice Road, Canvey, spoke about the problems, including underage children playing there, at a Canvey East neighbourhood meeting at Leigh Beck Junior School, Point Road, Canvey.

Mr Letchford said: “Whenever I go past there are children as young as eight playing on it, even though a sign clearly states it is only meant for 12 years and over.

“It is dangerous for them, but they use it because the neighbouring playground for younger children is so run down.

“Shouldn’t the council have some form of security to ensure younger children are not injured using it?”

A council officer at the meeting said he believed children of this age should be accompanied by an adult.

The Adizone play and fitness equipment, designed to help teenagers and adults keep fit, was paid for by Adidas and the Veolia ES Pitsea Cleanaway Marshes Trust.

Residents are also angry the budget to renovate Kismet Park’s children’s playground has been slashed from £80,000 to £20,000.

Council officers gave assurances at the meeting the children’s playground will be renovated, at a cost of £20,000, by April next year.

Residents would like the Adizone moved to Labworth Park, off Canvey seafront, where there are better parking facilities.

It was originally planned for the Hadleigh Memorial Ground, in Chapel Lane.