A new age-friendly fitness park is being proposed for Oliver.
The Oliver Parks and Recreation Society and the Oliver Healthy Living Coalition are joining forces to establish an outdoor fitness circuit catering to older adults.
“I would really like to see Oliver officially recognized as an age-friendly community, and I think this project could be a catalyst for that,” said Parks and Recreation manager Carol Sheridan.
The groups are seeking $20,000 in funding to make the project a reality. Last week the Town of Oliver gave the society its support for a grant application to the Union of BC Municipalities.
The coalition, formed in 2013, consists of the Town, the regional district and Oliver Parks and Recreation.
The new park idea was born out of a strategic planning session that identified key priorities for increasing physical activity levels in the senior population.
The fitness circuit will be flat, accessible to people with mobility issues, and close to the downtown core. It would be available to residents and visitors year-round without cost to the user.
Sheridan said the park will include a variety of fitness equipment such as plyometric steps, pull-up/chin-up bars, leg press, chest press, rowing machine, elliptical machine and tai chi wheels.
She noted the location most favoured by the coalition is Community Park on Park Drive.
Sheridan said the fitness park will also offer literacy opportunities through orientation workshops for seniors.
One intended outcome of the project will be chronic disease prevention, she pointed out.
An age-friendly advisory committee for Oliver and Area C will be formed, and seniors will be given the opportunity to provide ideas for park improvements.
Sheridan noted they will also track the participation of seniors to evaluate the impact on their population.
“I’m excited about the proposal because it will provide funds for the coalition to continue its work towards making Oliver the healthiest community in BC.”
If the grant application is successful, it will cover the community engagement process and installation costs. Approximately $8,000 will be earmarked for equipment purchase.
Sheridan said considerable fundraising will still be necessary to complete the project.
If approved, community consultation and fundraising would begin early in the new year.
Ron Shulhan, president of the Oliver Senior Centre, said the proposal sounds like a good idea, but he’s not sure if it is needed or how many seniors would use it.
Shulhan noted that local seniors already get their exercise by using the hike and bike trail. In addition, they utilize the “Ladies Keep Fit” program three days a week at the senior centre.
“This is well received, and it’s open to anyone. We generally get 35 to 45 people attending Monday, Wednesday and Friday morning.”
Shulhan said this exercise program has been going on for many years, and it was initially established on the advice from nurses and doctors in Penticton.
Lyonel Doherty
Oliver Chronicle
