In November of 2014, members of the Oliver Healthy Living Coalition got some very good news. Their application submitted a month previous to the Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM) for a $20,000 grant to install an Age-Friendly Outdoor Fitness Park had been approved. Now, just under 10 months later the project is nearing completion and the community at large is invited to celebrate at the Grand Opening of the Kiwanis Outdoor Fitness Park on Wednesday Sept 16th at Lion’s Park.

The Fitness Park project involved a significant amount of community engagement between January and March of this year through surveys filled out by the general public as well as focus groups and interviews with organizations and individuals serving older adults. The Age-Friendly Advisory committee made up of health professionals, interested Oliver citizens, and representatives from the Senior’s Centre and South Okanagan Community Immigrant Services was formed and this group of dedicated volunteers provided extremely valuable input throughout the spring and summer for the location of the park, the equipment to be purchased, marketing materials for the project and the future signage that will be displayed at park entrances and next to each station. Several presentations were made to service clubs and other organizations about the project and the need for additional funding to make it happen. In late spring the Kiwanis Club of Oliver contacted Carol Sheridan, co-chair of the Oliver Healthy Living Coalition, with the news she had been hoping for. “Our local Kiwanis Club saw the benefit of adding a free outdoor physical activity facility to Oliver, “ Sheridan recalls, “and committed $15,000 of funding in 2015 towards the project. This single donation allowed us to purchase the pieces of equipment needed to complete the fitness circuit and in recognition of this outstanding commitment to the Oliver community the park will be named the Kiwanis Outdoor Fitness Park.”

The pathway, concrete pads and fitness equipment were installed in Lion’s Park by Oliver Parks and Recreation in July and August and the project moves into its final phase which is ensuring as many people as possible get the opportunity to try out the equipment while supervised by a health professional during the 50 free one-hour orientation sessions being offered before October 30.

Like the many other fitness parks being developed around the province, the new Fitness Park in Oliver will provide a free, year-round opportunity for adults of all ages and abilities to experience to benefits of physical activity and social inclusion. The new facility is located in the south end of Lion’s Park between the Oliver Visitor Centre and the Joel Waines Memorial Skatepark. This site was chosen for its beautiful park setting, its proximity to Hwy 97, downtown core and Hike & Bike trail, as well as parking and washroom access. The fitness park features an accessible pathway with 7 pieces of outdoor fitness equipment that can be used for flexibility, strength and cardio exercises installed along it, essentially forming a looped exercise circuit. Instructions for the safe use of each piece of equipment are posted at each station. The physical health benefits from regular exercise include increased core strength, flexibility, coordination and cardio vascular health. Other benefits from the use of the new park by older adults may include an improved sense of belonging and accomplishment, increased connection with nature and better quality of sleep.

The Grand Opening of the Kiwanis Outdoor Fitness Park will be held between 4:00-6:00pm on Wednesday Sept 16 and everyone is welcome to attend. The official ribbon cutting ceremony will be at 4:30pm and light refreshments will be served. Tours of the fitness park will be offered by health professionals throughout the event and people can also sign up for either a group or individual orientation that night or by calling the Community Centre office anytime at 250-498-4985.