Volunteers band together today to set up new gym
CAMBRIDGE BAY, NU, Sept. 8, 2017 /CNW/ - GoodLife Fitness has donated a shipping container full of fitness equipment to the Hamlet of Cambridge Bay to give residents more opportunities to improve their health and wellness. The equipment will be housed in the local recreation complex and will significantly upgrade the fitness opportunities available for the community.
Until now, the Cambridge Bay recreation complex offered a small room with some basic fitness equipment, but regular users wanted to expand the facility to offer a variety of fitness options to more members. A committee of weight room users reached out to GoodLife Fitness, asking if a fitness equipment donation was possible. GoodLife responded by sending a container with cardio and strength training equipment and machines. With additional support from institutional and fitness equipment distributors, 360 Athletics, Cambridge Bay received more than 160 items worth approximately $40,000.
Davin St. Pierre, a volunteer who is leading the gym expansion project, says the new equipment will go a long way toward encouraging more Cambridge Bay residents to build physical activity into their lives. St. Pierre has lived in Cambridge Bay for over two years and appreciates the tightly knit community and natural beauty of its surroundings. He has also adapted to being in the dark part of the year and dealing with temperatures that can fall as low as minus 60 degrees Celsius.
"It can be a real challenge to stay active when it's cold and dark. With all this new equipment, there will be more to do at the gym and more options for everyone, whether it's adults hoping to stay strong or teens looking to get into fitness. Our volunteers are ready to orient people to the new equipment and help people who are new figure out what they like best."
Zoe Ohokannoak, 17, has lived in Cambridge Bay her entire life. She says she is looking forward to spending more time working out and trying the new equipment.
"The new equipment would allow me to broaden my horizons, and reach new possibilities in exercising where I've been limited in the past. I think it will motivate the youth in the community to exercise and focus on healthy living."
The container full of fitness machines and equipment travelled by ship for six weeks, arriving at Cambridge Bay from Montreal on September 1st. Today, volunteers will unload the new fitness equipment and set it up in the recreation complex.
Shawn Mackinnon, vice president of Club Services with GoodLife Fitness has been at the forefront of outfitting GoodLife gyms across the country for over 17 years. When the Cambridge Bay team of volunteers approached him with this new challenge, he jumped at the chance.
"I was floored by what they had accomplished so far on their own as well as their incredible vision for a fitness club to help their community," said Mackinnon. "Our first step was selecting the equipment that would give them a well-rounded gym. Then we had to figure out what we could transport that far north and then organize that equipment to fit into a shipping container with restricted space. Establishing timelines that would result in delivery to Cambridge Bay before the water froze on the shipping route was our final step."
Equipment includes elliptical cross trainers, treadmills, spin bikes, weights and racks, dumbbells, kettle bells, battle ropes, yoga and stretching mats, resistance bands, stability balls and more.
St. Pierre says the new equipment is a major step in his committee's project to revamp the gym space. Next, St. Pierre and the committee of volunteers want to find an organization to donate and install new rubberized flooring. There are also plans to introduce nutritional counselling and more exercise classes.
QUOTES
"As a remote community, purchasing fitness equipment is cost prohibitive and transportation to the Canadian arctic represents significant challenges. This donation from GoodLife Fitness will encourage healthy living and promote the physical and emotional well-being of our residents. The community of Cambridge Bay is extremely grateful for your kindness."
- Jeannie Ehaloak, Mayor, Municipality of Cambridge Bay
"GoodLife Fitness has been looking for ways to promote healthy habits as well as to offer options for physical activity to address mental wellness in many smaller communities. There are many opportunities for corporate Canada to get involved and support wellness initiatives for Canadians who live in the north. When Cambridge Bay reached out, we knew this was a chance to make a difference in one community. I am hopeful that this may spark some action from other Canadian businesses who see how great the need is."
- Jane Riddell, president and COO, GoodLife Fitness
"GoodLife's contribution shows us how serious and committed they are to improving our quality of life. We can't wait to see the positive impact that this gift will have on our small remote community of Cambridge Bay, NU."
- Fred Muise, Cambridge Bay Recreation Coordinator
"Now that we have the equipment, we can move forward with our vision. We want to bring more people in and offer more useful services that will encourage healthy lifestyles and promote a positive mindset."
- Davin St. Pierre, Volunteer, Cambridge Bay Weight Room User Group Committee
"This gym equipment delivery was certainly different from any that I have ever undertaken, but once we packed the container and saw it off in Montreal, we knew that the most difficult tasks were completed and it was just a matter of time. I am delighted to see this journey completed and the equipment reach the people who will get so much benefit out of it."
- Shawn Mackinnon, vice president of Club Services, GoodLife Fitness
About the Cambridge Bay Weight Room User Group Committee
Started by a group of fitness lovers, the Cambridge Bay Weight Room User Group Committee is a volunteer group working to upgrade the facilities at the Cambridge Bay recreation complex. The committee is dedicated to converting the weight room to a more comprehensive gym facility offering group fitness, yoga and nutrition classes for residents in the community.
About Cambridge Bay
Situated on the south coast of Victoria Island along the Northwest Passage, Cambridge Bay is a vibrant, diverse and culturally rich community. Serving as the transportation, administrative and business centre of the Kitikmeot region, Cambridge Bay offers a unique blend of abundant natural resources, outstanding cultural opportunities and unparalleled growth potential.
With a population of 1,766, Cambridge Bay is the largest community in the Kitikmeot region. Significant infrastructure investment and community development projects have resulted in a population increase of 23% over the past decade. As the home of the Canadian High Arctic Research Station, headquarters for Polar Knowledge Canada, this population growth is expected to continue. www.cambridgebay.ca
About GoodLife Fitness
Proudly Canadian since 1979, GoodLife Fitness is the largest fitness club chain in Canada and the fourth largest overall in the world. With over 385 clubs from coast-to-coast, including GoodLife Fitness, Fit4Less by GoodLife and ÉconoFitness Clubs, approximately 13,100 employees and more than 1.4 million members, GoodLife is helping to transform the health and wellness of 1 in 25 Canadians. www.goodlifefitness.com
SOURCE GoodLife Fitness
Media Contact: James Paul, Public Relations Specialist, GoodLife Fitness, C: 226-377-5505, O: 519-661-0190 ext. 6354, mediarelations@goodlifefitness.com
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