The Saskatchewan Senior Fitness Association (SSFA) is a volunteer NGO formed in response to the need for an activity program for people fifty plus years and older.
Over the past seven years, the Yorkton chapter has hosted two major SSFA events in Yorkton, the SSFA Zone 4 55 Plus Senior Games and the 2008 SSFA 55 Plus Provincial Games. Both events were a great success in drawing participants from across the region and province to Yorkton, reports Karen Thies, Yorkton SSFA host committee chairperson.
The Yorkton host committee resolved to leave a legacy to the city and to seniors in the community. In that regard the committee offered to install four pieces of outdoor fitness equipment for public use in Erichsen Park on Franko Drive. The entire cost for the purchase and installation of said equipment will be covered by the Yorkton SSFA host committee. "It is our hope that this legacy will continue to keep seniors active for many years to come," Thies states in her presentation to Yorkton city council.
Erichsen Park was selected because of its proximity to seniors' housing and has an existing pathway for seniors use.
The equipment, installed at various points along the pathway, would provide seniors active living opportunities with mobility exercises.
The outdoor equipment, says Thies, would require low to no maintenance and is designed with Canadian elements in mind. Instructional signage would be installed with each piece of equipment, Thies adds.
While all costs for the project are the responsibility of the Yorkton SSFA host committee, the city has been involved with the purchase and installation planning process. The Recreation Services Manager and the Parks and Arena Manager have acted as resource persons to the Yorkton SSFA host committee for both events and the legacy selection process.
Thies put the proposal before Yorkton city council on behalf of the Yorkton SSFA host committee.
Council accepted and approved the donation of the outdoor fitness equipment from the Yorkton SSFA 55 Plus host committee and authorized the committee to install the equipment in Erichsen Park.
