More Red Deer residents will have the chance to do chest presses and back rows outside when six additional gyms are installed at green spaces by the end of July.
Red Deer Primary Care Network, made up of 68 family doctors who are focusing on health promotion and prevention, have received $412,500 through Alberta Health and Wellness to add to its current gym inventory of four.
The new locations will be at Bower Place east of Zellers, Mountview Community Centre, Riverside Meadows Community Centre, and the Rosedale Meadows and Johnstone Crossing areas. One will also be set up at 5130 47th St. near the primary care network office.
Network executive director Lorna Milkovich said these new gyms are building on the success of those installed last year.
The equipment was set up at Glendale Park along Glendale Boulevard, Oriole Park West along Kerry Wood Drive, Victoria Park along Allan Street and at Barrett Park southeast of the Kinex Arena at 4725A 43rd St. Each gym has 12 stations with double fitness machines so two people can use the same station at once.
“People are using it every day as part of their exercise routine,” said Milkovich on Tuesday.
The City of Red Deer is also a partner, providing the land and being responsible for maintaining the equipment.
Each gym will cost $75,000, except for the gym near the primary care network office. Milkovich said this gym will cost about half because there is only room for six stations.
She expects it will be busy because it’s also located across the street from an apartment complex. The network will also be using the gym regularly as part of its Health Basic Lifestyle program clients.
“We’re also planning to hold weekly drop-ins for those who want to know how to use the equipment,” Milkovich said.
The equipment posts instructions, but some may want more concise help, she added.
ltester@www.reddeeradvocate.com