The choice between going to the beach or going to the gym just got much easier for folks in Port aux Basques. The town is installing outdoor gym equipment along the Grand Bay West Boardwalk.
“We hope it works out well,”saidtown managerMelvin Keeping. “It isnice to come and walk and do a workout in the fresh air. All we need now is some warmer weather.”
The town has installed ten workout machines all along the trail leading up to the red barn. Each section of the trail has a workout machine where - if your walk doesn’t tire you out- you can stop and go on one of the machines. There will be instructions posted on the machines on how to use them, said Mr. Keeping.
They are built to withstand the weather and are sturdy for outdoor use. Equipment includes an air skier, a hand and leg bike, and a chest press among other things.
Mr. Keeping is happy to have the equipment in place and hopes people will make good use of it. He does have a concern with vandalism but hopes that will not be an issue in this case.
“This is part of an overall fitness promotion within the town,” said Mr. Keeping. “We want to promote physical fitness for both the young and the old. We have already had a lot of positive comments so far.”
Mike Mercer, recreational director for the town, hopes this will give people more incentive to use the boardwalk.
“A lot of people use it already, but this gives them more reason to come over and try it out,” said Mr. Mercer.
During the summer the town will have student workers called the green team. They will be at the beach talking to people, and promoting the Grand Bay West beach area.
The town will be incorporating the beach into its summer recreation programs, said Mr. Mercer.
They are also working on finishing the walking trail and ending it at Tavernor Drive. They are already putting the boardwalk in now.
Once the hiking trail is complete it will be about a two-and-a-half hour walk.
Funding for the project is coming from the provincial and federal government.
reporter@gulfnews.ca
