Longview Gets Active

Congrats to the ACE Community of Longview who has been recently approved for $1000 from SOGO Active through Communities ChooseWell (Communities ChooseWell is an energizing healthy eating and active living initiative supported by Alberta Health and Wellness and managed by the Alberta Recreation and Parks Association) to run a fitness challenge with both school kids and anyone else who is interested using the Participaction suggestions and calendar. This challenge will run from April 1 until the end of June, culminating with a big party in the Centennial Park on Saturday, June 23 from 1-4 PM.

A second, even bigger bit of news to celebrate is that the ACE community team in Longview has just heard from the Alberta Sport, Recreation, Parks and Wildlife Foundation (ASRPWF) that they have received a $13,500 grant for a 15-week summer exercise program slotted to run in the local refurbished park. This program is entitled GO ME (GO OUT MOVE & EXERCISE) and will entail 3 different classes for 1) Moms and Tots, 2) Seniors, 3) Adults and Youth, three times a week, from June 1 to mid September. The aim is to also purchase some extra fitness equipment like exercise balls, weighted hula hoops and even a small shed to store the equipment in the park.

The final tidbit of info from Longview is that they are planning a Volunteer Appreciation Dinner for all of Longview's Volunteers from all of the groups in the town to be held on Saturday, April 21 during National Volunteer Appreciation Week.

Way to keep the community both active and engaged, Longview! We might be heading your way to participate in those workouts in the park now that the snow has finally said good bye!

Bike park for youth in Chestermere!

Two years ago, the youth in CHESTERMERE, supported by community partners, came together and built a mountain bike skills park on land donated by a local developer. It has been a popular spot for the youth of the community ever since and a source of pride for everyone that worked as a team to make it happen.

It was always clear, however, that the location was only temporary and now the bike park must find a new location. Seeing this as an opportunity and not a barrier, the youth are looking ahead to being able to add permanent features to the new bike park and have researched many desirable structures and designs.

The ACE team in Chestermere is partnering on this project to assist with the purchasing of the materials for these permanent features along with additional fencing, signage, and bike racks. The goal is to have the Park built and opened by spring 2012. Kudos to the team in Chestermere for helping the empowerment of their local youth!