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Media Releases 2005
DISTRICT OF TUMBLER RIDGE TO PARTICIPATE IN 20% PHYSICAL ACTIVITY CHALLENGE
Tumbler Ridge, B.C. (June 24, 2005): The District of Tumbler Ridge is joining other municipalities across the province in working with 2010 LegaciesNow and the Provincial Government to help meet the target of increasing physical activity amongst its citizens and employees by 20% by 2010.
“Tumbler Ridge is pleased to be a part of the 20% Physical Activity Challenge,” said Peter Thomas, Director of Community Services, District of Tumbler Ridge. “The benefits of recreation are the basis for our operation, and we will be promoting them at every opportunity.”
To coincide with council passing a motion to accept the 20% Physical Activity Challenge, the District of Tumbler Ridge ran a Fitness Challenge Week “Walk to Whistler” from June 6 to 12, where all registrants were asked to call in and record their distance walking, running and swimming to see if the community could get to Whistler.
“We accomplished our goal as a community,” explained Thomas. “Now, we currently have a "Swim to Whistler" program in the pool, where we are tracking swimmers to see if they can swim to Whistler by 2010. We have a growing number of registrants trying to swim the 1292 kilometres. The District will be supporting any other provincial, regional, and community initiatives to do what we can to direct everyone in our community toward a healthy lifestyle.”
“Incorporating regular physical activity into your daily routine is a great way to keep healthy and have more energy,” says Peace River South MLA Blair Lekstrom. “By increasing our physical activity by 20 per cent, the people of the Tumbler Ridge region will be doing their part to help the province reach the goal of being the healthiest jurisdiction to ever host an Olympic Games.”
Last year the Canadian Medical Association passed a resolution calling on provincial governments to commit to increasing the physical activity levels of all Canadians by 10% by 2010. In response, the Province of British Columbia was the first jurisdiction in Canada to announce that it will work with 2010 LegaciesNow to double the target to 20% and is encouraging all municipalities to become more physically active by 2010.
“Activities providing 30 minutes of moderate physical activity per day, such as brisk walking or cycling are enough to maintain an active lifestyle,” said Marion Lay, President and CEO, 2010 LegaciesNow. “As well, physical activity contributes positively to a person's overall well-being and can lead to a more productive and healthier community and work force. Our team at 2010 LegaciesNow is looking forward to working with all municipalities across the province in meeting the challenge of increasing physical activity in every region of British Columbia.”
According to the Canadian Community Health Survey, 2003 by Statistics Canada, 38 per cent of British Columbians are not active enough to achieve the health benefits associated with an active lifestyle. As a result, inactive British Columbians are at a greater risk for chronic disease including coronary artery disease, stroke, hypertension, type 2 diabetes, colon cancer, breast cancer and osteoporosis.
2010 LegaciesNow is a not-for-profit society that works in partnership with community organizations, non-government organizations (NGOs), the private sector and all levels of government to develop sustainable legacies in sport & recreation, arts, literacy, and volunteerism. 2010 LegaciesNow actively assists communities discover and create unique and inclusive social and economic opportunities leading up to, during and beyond the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. For more information visit www.2010LegaciesNow.com.
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Media Contact:
Daniel Fontaine
Director of Communications
2010 LegaciesNow
604-659-1379
Peter Thomas
Director of Community Services
District of Tumbler Ridge
250-242-4246
