Iola officials will mark the opening of its new outdoor Fitness Court with a ribbon-cutting ceremony Tuesday.
The Fitness Court, east of the Prairie Spirit Trail in the 100 block of Scott Street, was built in partnership with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas and the National Fitness Campaign, and offers free access to a number of workouts utilizing seven different exercise stations.
The project fits in with the city’s efforts to improve its recreational and activity facilities, Iola Parks Superintendent Robbie Droessler said in a press release, including remodeled batting cages at Riverside Park, upgrades to the soccer fields and the addition of a new splash park area at Meadowbrook Park.
The Fitness Court is one of 18 in the state and 563 in the country.
“We need more innovative solutions to address the physical activity needs of Kansans. Solutions that will level the playing field and allow everyone a safe place to enjoy the outdoors and improve their health,” Virginia Barnes, BCBS of Kansas’s Blue Health Initiatives campaign director, said in the press release.
THE FITNESS court is designed to be used for adults of all ages and ability levels and features stations geared toward core development, squats, push, lunge, pull, agility and bending exercises.
A QR code allows users to “check in” as well to monitor their workouts.
As part of the National Fitness Campaign, users can go to other Fitness Courts across the country for similar workouts.
Included with the 10 a.m. ribbon-cutting are demonstrations on various court components.
In case of inclement weather, however, the ribbon-cutting will be moved to the Recreation Community Building at nearby Riverside Park.
The city utilized a $50,000 National Fitness Grant, while supplying $166,000 in matching funds and installation costs.
