Rotary donates outdoor fitness equipment
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If you have tried the outdoor fitness equipment at either end of Veteran's Memorial Walkway or near the Tillsonburg Community Centre's tennis courts, you can thank the Rotary Club of Tillsonburg.
The leg lifters, push-up benches, and pull-down equipment were installed earlier this spring.
"The purpose is not so much for strength as it is for endurance and flexibility," said Tillsonburg Rotarian Jack Parker.
"It came to our attention that there was a matching grant available from the Rotary Foundation (through the District)," said Parker, noting the grant was in the amount of $5,000 US, "so we decided we would do this. We found a supplier in Paris, Ont. that made this stuff... and we matched the $6,200 (Canadian) grant."
The Rotary Club approached the Town of Tillsonburg to see if they would accept the equipment on behalf of the Rotary, and install it on town property.
"They said, 'sure,' so here we are," said Parker, noting the equipment was paid for by Rotary funds - not Town of Tillsonburg funds.
"We established a committee. I was the chair, Tom (Simmonds), John (Gilvesy), Ken (Patterson) were also on the committee. We did some research, found the equipment we wanted, and got the town to install it here on their property and do the installation - so the town was also involved in it, coordinated by Rick Cox."
Lafarge and East Elgin Concrete Forming both donated material for the project.
Three outdoor fitness units were installed at the west end of Veterans Memorial Walkway (on Quarter Town Line), two at the east end of Veterans Memorial Walkway (Rolph Street) and two units at the tennis courts near the Tillsonburg Community Centre.
"They come in various colours, and these happened to be Rotary colours," said Parker. "I think they look great."
Safety was a priority, he said, and the equipment was installed close to the ground with that in mind.
"They are very safe."