A local movement is gearing up to make Halifax earn the distinction of ‘most fit city in Canada' through installing 40 outdoor fitness parks that feature barrier-free access for everyone.
The impact of the MyFitCity campaign will be to catapult HRM into the forefront of the fight in Canada against obesity and in-activity. Those involved with the MyFitCity project say the installation of 40 outdoor fitness parks within walking distance of every home in the HRM will give Halifax the edge over other communities in Canada struggling to improve youth engagement and reduce growing obesity rates.
The high profile Woodside Industrial Park-based GreenGym Outdoor Fitness has proposed to partner with MyFitCity to install fitness parks by the end of 2012 within 40 of the 600 already established parks throughout the HRM. Last month, GreenGym gained national exposure and a $200,000 investment from The Herjavec Group during an appearance CBC's Dragon's Den.
GreenGym founders Guy Chaham and Deb Merry have been working with MyFitCity supporters Maritime Heart Centre, Stepping Up Halifax and Recreation Nova Scotia - among others.
"The project will position the HRM as a community that's doing something significant to combat the lack of physical activity that often underlies obesity, heart disease and diabetes," Chaham says. "It's a problem right across the country, but to this point, no other municipality in Canada has addressed the issue head-on by making fitness equipment so widely accessible. These 40 installations will give Halifax the largest number of fitness parks per capita and have a tremendous impact on the health of our local families."
To make this project successful MyFitCity is seeking the support of the HRM council. The project is targeting to raise $1.2 million from local and regionally based companies for the equipment, park site preparation and installation at all 40 locations. To jump start MyFitCity, GreenGym has committed two years of free maintenance and an $80,000 donation in the form of an extra piece of equipment valued at $2,000 for each park.
MyFitCity is inviting private, corporate and government investors to come forward to help make the parks a reality. Companies can sponsor an entire park, which will be in use for the next 10 to 15 years, for as little as $30,000. Information on sponsorship package options is available by visiting: www.myfitcity.ca.
Many local businesses and organizations have endorsed the MyFitCity initiative, including the Halifax Chamber of Commerce, Greater Halifax Partnership, Halifax Fusion, Stepping Up Halifax, Halifax International Airport Authority, Impact Communications Group and Thompson & Sutherland Wholesalers and Distributers.
