Duane Hicks
The public will be able to do even more varieties of exercise when they use the La Verendrye Parkway in the near future after town council agreed to install two outdoor fitness equipment pieces there.
Council approved the equipment—to be placed on the grass area northeast of the children’s play structure near the lookout tower on Front Street—at its meeting Monday evening.
The equipment is being paid for through a New Horizons grant received last year by a collective of local groups interested in social, educational, active, and safe recreation opportunities for seniors.
These include the Community Garden Committee, the Energetic Adults Getting Exercise Regularly: Beginning Wave of Busy Baby-Boomers (EAGER Bs), the Northwestern Health Unit, and Seniors and Law Enforcement Together (S.A.L.T.)
The equipment, which is like playground equipment for adults, is low-maintenance, can withstand the elements, and is easy to use for a broad range of ages.
The idea is people walking along the waterfront can stop at the stations, build that workout into their routine, and then keep walking.
The town will install the concrete pads and the equipment, and be responsible for the minimal on-going maintenance of it.
The town’s Community Services executive committee decided on the location after consulting with NHU health promoter Elaine Fischer, Operations and Facilities manager Doug Brown, and the equipment manufacturer (Urbanix).
It preferred to install two pieces of equipment there and then see how well-received they are.
If it is a good spot to put them, another three pieces of equipment could be installed there next spring.
If not, the three pieces will be located elsewhere.
Also at Monday night’s meeting, council:
•referred a request from the Royal Canadian Legion Br. #29 to waive fees for use of the Townshend Theatre on Sept. 10 to the Administration and Finance executive committee for its recommendation;
•agreed to a request from the Royal Canadian Legion to declare a joint fall event marking the 100th anniversary of WWI and the 75th anniversary since the start of WWII on Sept. 18 as a “municipally-significant event;”
•referred a request from Al Boivin for a refund for his re-zoning application fee to the Administration and Finance executive committee, with input from the Planning and Development executive committee;
•approved Mayor Roy Avis, Coun. Paul Ryan, and Fort Frances CAO Mark McCaig to attend the Association of Municipalities of Ontario annual general meeting and conference Aug. 17-20 in London, Ont.;
•approved Minutes of Settlement for 1005 Third St. E. for 2014 (the total financial impact is $75.63, consisting of a reduction of municipal revenue in the amount of $67.51 and education revenue in the amount of $8.12);
•approved applications for tax adjustment at 252 Sixth St. E. (2013 and 2014); and
•referred a request from the Municipality of Wawa—re: a cut to the power dam special payment program in the provincial budget—to the Administration and Finance executive committee for its recommendation.
