The Seniors Fitness Park will be located in the NE corner grassy area of the Alex Dillabough Centre grounds. (Supplied image/Town of Battleford)

By Angela Brown

Promoting healthy living

Town selects location for new Seniors Fitness Park

Jun 8, 2021 | 10:11 AM

Seniors will soon have more ways to stay active in the Town of Battleford.

Council selected the location for the new Seniors Fitness Park – an outdoor exercise space with fitness equipment for adults – at its meeting Monday.

When given two choices – near the Alex Dillabough Centre or at the Battleford West Properties area near Telegraph Heights Park, council opted for the NE corner grassy area of the Alex Dillabough Centre site, as recommended by administration.

Coun. Judy Pruden said this location made the most sense since it is near other recreation resources in the area.

The site offers easy access near the walking trail, and as well as for people out taking their strides so they can use the equipment when they are done.

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Pruden said she is looking forward to the project coming to Battleford.

Coun. Alexis Christensen echoed Pruden’s sentiments, saying there is already programming in that area, so the seniors exercise park would be a good addition.

“I’m excited to see the project happening, and I commend everybody for their hard work,” she said.

Council previously awarded the contract for the project to Jeff Jackson Playground Pro, from nine submissions received.

Town Parks and Recreation manager Jordan Schechtel said in his report, administration believed their proposal “did the best job of fulfilling the requirements of the request for proposal (RFP), and demonstrated the best overall value to the town.”

The bid also came in under the town’s $135,000 budget for the project.

The cost for the equipment, surfacing and installation from Jeff Jackson Playground Pro is $119,995 plus GST. There will also be miscellaneous expenses related to the town excavating and preparing the site. As well, administration noted as a reminder, the town received $57,000 from Battlefords Agency Tribal Chiefs (BATC) Community Development Corporation (CDC) for this project.

The RFP required the project be completed by August 15. Initially the company planned to start between July 5 and 12, and complete it within 10 to 14 days.

However, Schechtel said the supplier just informed him unfortunately the project will need to be delayed a little due to circumstances.

“There was a large fire at their manufacturing facility, and it is looking like it will be pushed back until September,” Schechtel said.

In any event, council is excited about the project coming to the town.

Mayor Ames Leslie said he supports anytime the town can promote exercise and recreation for the community.

“One of the biggest things people look for when they choose to buy a home in your community is your recreational facilities, and things to do in your community,” he said. “This will be one more step towards it.”

Coun. Pruden remarked the seniors fitness park will also encourage people to remain in Battleford through all stages of their life. She added this type of fitness project helps people stay mobile, and also serves as a falls-prevention initiative.

“One of the big reasons that this is important is for our baby boomers and elderly to be able to utilize this equipment, to age in place,” Pruden said. “We don’t want people having to move out of our community when they get older.”

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angela.brown@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @battlefordsnow