“This spring we were granted a $49,000 Ministry of Health, Communities in Action grant. The object of the grant is to increase physical activity in the community, making (participants) healthier,” said community and recreation co-ordinator for Lake of Bays Jennifer Schnier.

It was Schnier who successfully applied for the grant. “The mayor (of Lake of Bays Janet Peake) took me around to all the seniors’ facilities in the spring. I asked them if they wanted fitness classes and, if so, what were the biggest barriers to that end. I was told (the biggest barrier) was the inability to get to facilities where fitness programs usually take place.”

With that in mind, Schnier determined to bring fitness to the seniors in their own communities. “We applied for the grant and we were successful,” she said.

The grant allowed Schnier to implement six fitness projects in Dorset, Dwight and Baysville.

“We started up the first program in Dwight on June 15 in time to celebrate Seniors Month. It was Tai Chi and the class was packed, so we knew it would be a success,” said Schnier.

She then worked with the presidents of the other seniors’ clubs and together they found amenable times for all concerned.

The fitness programs take place during the week at three locations. “We have something for seniors four days a week,” said Schnier.

Seniors’ fitness classes run in Dorset on Tuesdays from 11 a.m. to noon and in Baysville on Wednesdays at 11 a.m. Both of these programs are conducted either by Lorraine van Luit or Kym Bice of Motivations Fitness.

The weekly Tai Chi classes at the Dwight Seniors Club are run by the Temple Knights.

“These two organizations have partnered with us to provide fitness for our seniors,” said Schnier.

“The key for us is that the programs happen at a location where the members have positioned their lives. We have brought fitness and the necessary equipment to them. They don’t have to travel far for their sessions and they can work out in a safe, clean, comfortable and familiar place.”

Each seniors’ club was given a new stereo system so that they can have music during their fitness classes. “And we provided the equipment as it was needed,” said Schnier.

The expenditure to set up the classes was about $6,000. This also included the mileage for the instructors and their remuneration.

“So there is no cost to the seniors at all,” said Schnier.

The fitness programs are eight-weeks in duration and run until Christmas. Anyone who would like to join in for the final sessions is welcome.

“For more information they can call me at 635-2272, ext. 229,” said Schnier.

She added: “These people were not doing any physical activity before this. They just simply couldn’t get to classes. Now there is lots going on for seniors. It’s really exciting.”

In addition to running the fitness programs, Lake of Bays has instituted a seniors’ Learn to Skate program in Baysville on Thursdays at 11 a.m.

“The cost for this is one dollar and it’s fully supervised. The program is completely oriented to seniors. We even play waltzing music,” said Schnier.

The skating program runs until March and has proved very popular. “We’ve had as many as 18 seniors on the ice,” said Schnier.

Monies from the Ontario grant have also gone toward a disc golf program in Dwight and two programs directed at Baysville’s youth.

“We are giving the Baysville Curling Club junior rocks for an Introducing Youth to Curling program that begins Dec. 6, and there is an after-school youth program at which 50 per cent involves physical activity aimed at raising the heart rate and reducing obesity,” concluded Schnier.