Adding to the excitement of the ribbon cutting for the new fitness court at Pea Ridge City Park, Parks and Recreation Director Kaleb Turner fostered a bit of competition, challenging members of the police and fire/EMS departments to compete for the right to cut the ribbon on July 21.
Four officers competed around the court, culminating with Michael Wiele, firefighter/EMT, cutting the ribbon. Other officers in the friendly competition were Fire Captain and Medic Colton Lucas and police officers Jeff Hunt and Zach Gorden.
Members of the police and fire/EMS departments staged a friendly competition to demonstrate the court’s many options.
Turner welcomed the crowd then turned the podium over to Mayor Nathan See.
“This space is more than just a piece of equipment that we’ve brought out, it’s a community investment into health, wellness and connection,” Turner said, describing the fitness court as a place where a variety of state-of-the art exercise stations are designed to support the full body. “From cardio, strength, flexibility exercises, this court is set up to serve everyone from teens just starting their health journey to active seniors starting to maintain their health and balance.”
“This is a great opportunity for people to come out, work out together and create relationships,” said Mayor See, explaining that the unique fitness court is a venue that is not available everywhere in northwest Arkansas. “Whenever you think about this type of workout station, it’s about quality of life and creating a better quality of life for Pea Ridge residents and the region.”
He thanked city council members for approving the funds and the grant.
“We’re very glad and blessed to have this,” See said. “We want people to come use this and enjoy it. Let it be an asset to them and the community.”
He commended Turner for finding the grant and overseeing the entire project.
The $30,000 fitness court was built with a portion of funds from a $90,000 grant from the National Fitness Campaign received by the Pea Ridge Parks and Recreation Department. A third of the remaining grant funds will be used at Baker-Hayes Park and another third at Carr Street Park.
The fitness court offers seven different exercise stations. Directions are on the wall and are available via a QR code on the wall. The directions recommend the facility for use by people 14 years of age and older. There are sections for pulling, pushing, squats and agility. Turner showed the uses of the various stations.
“A minute of core, a minute of squats, jumps, push-ups, a minute of lunges, a minute of agility and a minute of bends—do about three of those, a 21-minute workout and you’re good to go,” Turner said, adding there is a smart phone app available, too: National Fitness Court.
This article appeared originally in the July 22 edition of the Pea Ridge Times and is reprinted with permission.
