HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuron Expositor, 2005-12-14, Page 16Page 16 December 14, 2005 • The Huron Expositor
News
Fitness program for kids awaiting $14,000 funding
Jeff H e u c h e r t
®11.)
The Vanastra Recreation Centre
and the Huron County Health Unit
are awaiting word on their proposal
to run the Pun Fit program in five
area .schools, beginning in the new
year.
Fun Fit is a program designed to
engage elementary school children
in physical activity, according to
Community Developer Bonnie
Baynham.
"This 10 -week program is
designed to address the need topro-
vide children with motivating, habit
establishing, physical activity pro-
grams," she said.
The health unit and recreation
centre are awaiting approval on
their approximately $14,000 fund-
H.E. / Seaforth
Community Development Trust
Christmas 2005 Newsletter
The Huron East/Seaforth Community Development Trust (H.E./S.C.D.T.) would like to wish everyone a '*
Merry Christmas and a happy and safe holiday season. As usual, the year has sped by and we are looking
forward to a prosperous 2006!
The main focus for everyone this year was health care. The H.E./S.C.D.T. was forefront in many
positive moves that will benefit the health of our community in the years to come.
The decision was made to support the Seaforth Healthcare Attraction and Retention Pilot (SHARP).
Government support for this program rested on community support, and the H.E./S.C.D.T. stepped up to the
plate. The program has been renamed 'HealthKick Huron' and already has over 25 local students involved
in a co-sponsored upgrade and nurses training program in cooperation with Georgian College. This program
runs over a four-year term allowing the students to continue working in our communities while advancing
their education. Also, local pharmacies have had local students recruited in a Work Placement Program to
help them experience the healthcare field in their own communities. All of these initiatives will help support
the future of rural healthcare.
The decision was made by the H.E./S.C.D.T. to provide the former Agriculture Canada office to the
Seaforth Community Hospital Trust, allowing them to establish two self-contained apartment units. The
S.C.H.T. renovated the space to provide a more home -like space for visiting doctors, especially locums that
are here for longer terms. The new apartments are comfortable and are much appreciated by the doctors.
With a contribution from the H.E./S.C.D.T. we helped with the up -grades at the Seaforth Medical
Centre. New furnishings and computer systems were a positive move in the recruitment of new doctors.
The future of health care in our community is an on-going concern for everyone. Working together
we can make sure that our community has a healthy and strong future.
The H.E./S.C.D.T. continued to help Seaforth look its best this past year by supplying the beautiful
hanging baskets that complimented the new light post decorations put up by the B.I.A., with support from
the Trust. A new entrance.sign at North Main Street was replaced after -damage during a storm. A donation
was made to 'Doors Open Ontario' to help print brochures that attracted many people to visit Seaforth and
view the wonderful architecture of our community. The same weekend everyone had a fantastic time enjoy-
ing the dances, dinners, and events of 'Come Hpme to the Country'I The Seaforth Lawn Bowling CIug was
very appreciative of the donation to help up -grade their lawn care equipment.
Bill Teall has taken on the Property Manager position for the Trust. With the Post Office and CCAC
building worth over $1.5 Million Dollars to the community it is imperative that these investments are looked
after and cared for properly.
The H.E./S.C.D.T. also purchased a Seaforth Sewer Debenture as an investment this year.
It has been a busy and important year for the Trust in supporting our community. Total financial
support to the community in 2005 was over $68,000.00. Our meetings are the first Thursday of each month
starting at 7:30 pm and everyone is welcome.
Num
POO
Merry Christmas to you and your families.
Joe Steffler, Jim Sills, Doug Elliott, Bill Teall, Lou Maloney,
Alf Ross and Maureen Agar
Wewish you all a -
Merry Christmas
and
Happy New Year!
ing proposal, which must be
approved by their funder: the
provincial Ministry of Tourism and
Recreation.
Funding for such a program must
go through a municipal agency,
hence why the Vanastra Recreation
Centre became involved.
The health unit will assist with
community development, proposal
writing and consultation, while the
recreation centre will administer
the money, said Baynham.
"They (the Vanastra Recreation
Centre) are a solid organization
with experience delivering similar
projects; programs and initiatives in
Huron East," she said.
Baynham points out an alarming
number, as to why programs such as
Fun Fit are needed in Ontario.
She said in Ontario, 15-20 per
cent of youth (12-15 years old) are
overweight or obese.
Manager at the Vanastra
Recreation Centre Lissa Berard,
said the only way to fight these
health concerns is for kids to get
active.
"If we can get them exercising,
hopefully they'll stay active," said
Berard.
She adds that if they want to stay
active after taking part in Fun Fit,
they can always come out to the
recreation centre.
Fun Fit will run for 10 weeks, and
involve Grade 7 and 8 students
leading elementary school students
through exercises and games,
through their lunchtime and recess.
The schools that have shown an
interest in participating are
Seaforth Public, St. James Catholic,
Brussels Public, St. Columban, and
Grey Central Public School.
Baynham expects to hear back
regarding their funding proposal
early into the new year.
If it is not approved, Baynham
said the health unit will look into
other options.
Berard said all they can do right
now is wait for the Ministry's deci-
sion.
"It (Fun Fit) can be very success-
ful," said Berard. "I hope it is
approved."
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