Powell River will be celebrating its first official National Health and Fitness Day, Saturday, June 6.
While having celebrated the event three times previously, this will be the first event since MP John Weston’s National Health and Fitness Day Act passed unanimously into law late last year—establishing the first Saturday in June as a national day to promote health and fitness for all Canadians.
“It brings to light some of the great gifts of Powell River…the whole initiative was born where we live and reflects our values,” said Weston, singling out Dr. Chris Morwood and City of Powell River Councillor Russell Brewer, for championing cycling in Powell River, as well as Mayor Dave Formosa for his support. “It’s one of the most exciting projects I’ve ever been involved in.”
Since first announcing the bill in 2012, Weston has been working with former Olympic skier, now senator, Nancy Greene-Raine, to help inspire fitness, reduce exercise-preventable diseases and “make Canada the fittest nation on earth.”
“Nancy and I started this discussion in the lead up to the Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2010,” said Weston, explaining they both wanted the games’ legacy to have a far-reaching impact.
Although fitness day’s genesis began in Powell River back in 2012, now around 200 communities in all provinces and territories across the country, celebrate the event: including the Sunshine Coast Regional District, Nanaimo, Comox, and as far afield as the Hamlet of Pond Inlet in Nunavut.
“Powell River really got it,” said Weston. “It’s about getting people involved who would hopefully take up some form of physical activity year round.”
Weston, said he will be working to make fitness an official part of Canada’s 150th celebration in 2017, and get people active between National Health and Fitness Day and Canada Day.
Previous fitness day events in Powell River have involved a host of free events from horseshoes to golf.
According to Councillor Jim Palm the city is sponsoring free events, including free wristbands for participants at Townsite Tennis and Pickle Ball Courts including family pickle ball clinic (10 am to noon) and tennis open house starting from (noon to 2 pm) on Saturday.
There will also be a morning of free fitness classes at Westview Ferry Terminal Pavilion led by Mike Clansey and Silvana Hernandez of Sheridan Dance Academy: INSANITY®, 9 to 9:40 am and Zumba® from 10 to 11 am, which will include some songs for children to dance along to. For more information readers can call Clansey at 604.344.0454.
T-Fit Training Centre is also offering by-donation classes all morning, including Sweat it Out at 9 am, Hatha Yoga at 10 am and Laughter Yoga at 11:30 am.
RxWellness Powell River, a Ted-X style forum, will take place that evening. The event, $20 with proceeds used for youth bikes in Powell River, includes speakers on spiritual, emotional and physical wellness including John Louie, a Tla’amin (Sliammon) Nation counsellor and men’s support heath worker. For more information readers can visit the RxWellness Powell River Facebook page.
