City to receive $100,00 for fitness

Posted 10/26/21

Senator James Skoufis and State Assemblyman Jonathan Jacobson pledged $100,000 to the City of Newburgh for the construction of a new free outdoor fitness court through the The National Fitness …

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City to receive $100,00 for fitness

Posted

Senator James Skoufis and State Assemblyman Jonathan Jacobson pledged $100,000 to the City of Newburgh for the construction of a new free outdoor fitness court through the The National Fitness Campaign (NFC) during a sunny outdoor morning announcement.

“We discussed the possibility of bringing an outdoor fitness court here to the City of Newburgh,” Skoufis said. “We think it’d be a perfect fit. “Each of these elected officials secured $50,000 for the creation of this new fitness area with an additional $30,000 from the campaign itself. The grand total is $130,000 to create this new outdoor fitness area.

Joining the senator and assemblyman for the receiving of the funds were Recreation Director Sam Sutton, City Manager Todd Venning and Director of Planning and Development Alexandra Church.

“I think it’s pretty awesome,” Sutton said. “My emotions are definitely excitement. Excitement for the city. Anytime that we can add, add something that is going to enhance the city, is going to enhance health, is going to bring more people outside and make them more active is a great thing.” The NFC’s history page on their website begins with its creation in 1979 by Mitch Menaged. His commitment to healthy lifestyles led to the creation of the first courts in the City of San Francisco, CA and at Stanford University. The court itself has gone from what it once was to a more modern outdoor court style that will be built in the park. The court itself is a seven usage circuit that offers other workouts that residents can utilize while on the court.

Skoufis discussed the difficulties during the pandemic with the limited ability to do activities safely. As the public began to make their way back, parks and open spaces began to be utilized once more. With this new project, Skoufis, Jacobson and the city are committed to providing free fitness for the city residents. “It’s (a fitness court) going to be enjoyed by young people, older adults,” Skoufis said. This court will give the residents the ability to workout and be active at no cost to them. “This is something that everybody can participate in,” Jacobson said. “This is a great park (Delano-Hitch).”The materials for the court will be delivered in the coming weeks and the plan for the court will be that its opening will take place next spring, Skoufis said.