Shiretown first in Canada to invest in outdoor gym equipment

By Kirk Starratt

THE ADVERTISER

NovaNewsNow.com

Would you like the opportunity to get in better physical condition while enjoying some fresh air, without it costing you a lot of money? If you live in Kentville, you’ll soon have this option, as the town is the first municipality in Canada to place an order with Greengym for outdoor gym equipment to be placed in various parks throughout town.

Mayor Dave Corkum said it all came about rather quickly when representatives from town attended a recent recreation conference in Digby.

They saw the equipment on display and were very impressed. Corkum said he encouraged Parks and Recreation director Mark Phillips and Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee chairman Coun. Mark Pearl to consider placing an order.

Phillips said the town had funding set aside in the budget for outdoor park equipment for the Ducks Unlimited development and other locations.

Each piece of equipment costs about $2,000 and the town will probably invest $10,000 to $15,000. Corkum said the Parks and Recreation Department would make the final decision, depending on how much money is available in their capital budget for purchasing equipment.

Although the number of machines, the type and the locations where they’ll be installed have yet to be finalized, Corkum said there would probably be a couple pieces installed in a park area with the Ducks Unlimited development, a couple pieces in a subdivision park and perhaps a couple pieces near the new seniors complex.

The all-weather outdoor machines are made with galvanized steel and are virtually indestructible to protect against vandalism. They’ll probably be bolted to concrete pads.

Low-impact workouts

The machines offer low-impact workouts and the user’s body weight acts as the resistance. Types of machines include treadmills, elliptical walkers, rowing machines, ski machines and more. “We hope to have it up by spring,” Corkum said. “It’s an investment in the health of our citizens.”

The thinking is that, if the machines were available, maybe people would get on and exercise for a few minutes. Corkum said that would be better than no exercise in terms of the health benefits. Having used physical activity to help gain a level of control over his own health concerns, Corkum is aware that some health problems can be reversed or prevented through regular exercise.

The town has many wonderful facilities for team sports but Corkum said the outdoor exercise equipment is about promoting healthy, active lifestyles for individuals. It might help people who don’t like going to the gym or who face an affordability factor when it comes to purchasing a gym membership.

Corkum said the town is in negotiations with the equipment supplier to get the best possible deal on as many pieces as possible, even if they end up purchasing demos. The machines were invented in China about 10 years ago and are common in public parks there. The machines are springing up in parks in the United States, too.

He said he’s pleased to say there can only be one first and Kentville is being recognized across Canada for being the first municipality in the country to order the gear.