Plans for a senior-friendly outdoor fitness facility at Lions Park will be unveiled at an open house later this month.

Carol Sheridan of the Oliver Parks and Recreation Society told council Monday that the Kiwanis Age-Friendly Outdoor Fitness Park will likely open in September, thanks in part to a $15,000 grant from Oliver Kiwanis. The facility, at the south end of the park near the visitors’ centre, will include a number of pieces of fitness equipment designed with older adults in mind.The fitness equipment will be available anyone, year-round and free of charge between 7 a.m. and 8 p.m.

According to a release Sheridan distributed at the council meeting: “The fitness park will include a 300-metre accessible pathway loop around the south end of the park connecting to the hike and bike trail, the parking lot at the visitors centre and the path leading to the north end of Lions Park.
“At shady locations around the pathway, six concrete pads will be poured and various pieces of outdoor fitness equipment will be installed … forming an exercise circuit.”

Following the June 23 open house, paving of the paths will begin in early July. Equipment will be installed in August and there will be a “grand opening” in September. She said 50 orientation sessions with a qualified trainer will be offered in September and October. Sheridan states the equipment is designed to withstand the elements and that there are no parts that can be stolen. It comes with a five-year warrantee.

Meanwhile, Sheridan said Parks and Recreation will apply to a recently announced federal grant program for money to expand the weight room at the recreation centre. The Canada 150 Project is part of the federal celebrations of Canada’s 150th anniversary and the grants are for matching funds for restoration or enhancement of community facilities. Sheridan said she is seeking a grant of $75,000 to expand the weight room, which she said is too small to accommodate the increasing demand from the public.

Written by Roy Wood

Written by Roy Wood