FOUR NEW community fitness and exercise stations will spring up at Buangor, Lake Bolac, Streatham and Elmhurst after the State Government announced $60,000 in funding to install the equipment.
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Minister for Sport and Recreation Damian Drum joined Nationals candidate for Ripon Scott Turner and Ararat Rural City Council Mayor, Cr Paul Hooper, at the Buangor Recreation Reserve, one of four venues to benefit from the funding boost from the Community Facility Funding Program.
Mr Drum said residents throughout the Ararat region will soon have more opportunities to embrace active lifestyles thanks to the funding.
"The Napthine Government is committed to a more active Victoria and is proud to work with communities such as Ararat, who have made health and fitness such a priority in recent years," Mr Drum said.
"The exercise stations will add a new dimension to parks and recreation areas, providing equipment for locals to keep fit and healthy."
Mr Drum thanked the Ararat Rural City Council for providing $30,000 towards the Leaps and Bounds project.
"Over the past four years the Coalition Government has invested more than $140 million across a range of programs in 850 community sports facility projects like these, resulting in over $598 million of new local sporting infrastructure for Victorians," Mr Drum said.
The four towns will join an existing four towns that have already had a taste of the outdoor exercise experience.
Stage one of Ararat Rural City Council's Leaps and Bounds project included public fitness equipment erected in the townships of Tatyoon, Willaura, Pomonal and Moyston.
The workout stations, which are located in the townships' recreation reserves, are available to the public to use at any time and are designed to assist communities to become and remain active.
The equipment chosen has been carefully designed to ensure that when you work out you will get an upper body, lower body, strength and cardio workout.
The workout stations are suited to all levels of fitness, from beginner to advanced levels and have been provided with full instructions for use as part of the signage attached.
Mr Turner said he was pleased that there was yet another way for the community to get active.
"Off the back of Ararat's involvement in The Biggest Loser television show there has been a renewed and very welcome interest in fitness and health among locals," Mr Turner said.
"These stations will complement the great work being done by sporting clubs, the Ararat Rural City Council and individuals to make the region more active.
"The outdoor fitness equipment will be safe, durable and weather resistant, providing a low impact, high quality workout for all users.
"The investment in this project is part of the Victorian Coalition's plan to develop sustainable local sport and recreation infrastructure that inspires people to get active," Mr Turner said.
For more information regarding the Leaps and Bounds Project contact Ararat Rural City Council on 5355 0256 or visit www.ararat.vic.gov.au
For more information about community sporting facility funding programs on offer, please visit www.sport.vic.gov.au.