Groups Appraise “North Bay Gets Active” Program
North Bay could be a more active community with a streamlined approach to promoting healthy active living programs and facilities available in the city just north enough to be perfect.
Representatives from an assortment of local organizations gathered in Nipissing University’s new boardroom overlooking the Robert J. Surtees Centre on Wednesday January 22nd. Discussion flourished on the possibility of a collaborative “North Bay Gets Active” program based on the successful “Saskatoon In Motion”, “Kingston Gets Active”, and “Canada Gets Active” endeavors.
Brenda Bruner, an assistant professor in the Schulich School of Education, brings ample experience to working alongside these sorts of initiatives and contributes a research background in community-based physical activity promotion. Bruner, a former Saskatchewanian, was involved with “In Motion” prior to moving to Ontario where she became involved with Kingston Gets Active and to this day remains on their coordinating committee.
The meeting of minds was extensive in its offerings. Members of the North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit, namely Michelle Cundari and Melanie Davis, have lead a number of special project in the community and are responsible for bringing this opportunity to the surface. Other guests represented the YMCA, the City of North Bay Parks and Recreation department, Nipissing University, Canadore College, the Heart and Stroke Foundation, the Indian Friendship Centre, the North Bay Granite Club, the Nipissing District Tennis Club, the Near North District School Board, Parachute, and Sport North Bay. Other movers and shakers were unable to attend or have been identified for subsequent gatherings.
There will be no re-inventing the wheel if the group proceeds to next steps. Plans to meet with members of the Kingston Gets Active collective, either in person or by video conference, has been prioritized above all else. Should North Bay be able follow in their footsteps, a number of exciting programs will surface.
One such program is the grade 5 and 9 Activpass, which gives students in these grades free reign at participating clubs, facilities and programs across Kingston. According to research, the greatest drop off for physical activity is experienced in these grades, especially for females.
KGA boasts other successful program too, including pedometer lending, free speaker series, and an interactive website with associated social media outlets. Kingstongetsactive.ca is a one-stop shop for discovering activities in the community that are categorized for kids, youth, adults, older adults, and accessible recreation.
Lucio Pavone, principal at Chippewa Secondary School, is passionate about jumping on the physical activity report card bandwagon. Such an initiative would provide students (and their parents) with an evaluation of their healthy active living habits akin to report cards presently issued in schools. In a time when our kids average 6-7 hours of screen time every day, education remains a critical part of forming healthy behaviours for future generations.
Ian Kilgour, the city’s parks and recreation director, noted that city fields go unused during non-prime time hours during the day. “North Bay Gets Active would be a great way for people to learn about and access local facilities”.
Such an initiative could generate a greater return on investment for the city and its partners.
For more information please contact Sport North Bay at info@sportnorthbay.ca and join the conversation on Facebook and Twitter #NBGetsActive.
Sport North Bay is your Community Sport Council (CSC) and aims to be the one voice for recreation, sport and healthy active living in North Bay and Area. Sport North Bay exists to work with its partners through information sharing, promotion, resource development, communication, education, and advocacy.
Bobby Ray
On behalf of Sport North Bay
