Monday 4 July 2011

Fitness first for Four Mile

: Barrier Reef Park will be transformed into a hive of fitness activity if funding for a new fitness trail is approved.

: No moving parts fitness equipments such as that pictured will lead to a happier, healthier population.

by Mat Churchill

Barrier Reef Park at the southern end of Four Mile Beach will become a hive of healthy activity should funding be made available for a specially designed fitness trail.

Brett Wright, owner of WindSwell who operates from the area, is driving the concept and says that local residents would be the biggest beneficiaries.

"I want something for the locals. Everyone goes through that park to access the beach, I've seen boot camp girls in there every morning, people walk their dogs. Parents pushing their children on the swings, and the adults are just standing around."

He said that the recycled plastic fitness trail equipment he has researched is "similiar but way better" than the equipment which is stationed along the Cairns Esplanade.

"There's a whole heap of chin up, sit up, and push up ones (equipment). It's like play equipment for adults."

Mr Wright is seeking funding from Council of between $25-$30,000 either through a Gambling Community Funding grant or through existing funds, and has received a positive to date.

"It looks like they're going to allocate the land, it looks like there is funding available, and it looks like it probably will happen."

Mr Wright said he has received support from Division 10 councillor Julia Leu, and Douglas Regional Manager Liz Collyer.

"Right now is a good time, we need positive things happening," he said.

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Brett Wright, 05-07-11 17:31:

yep all sounds good.....would love to get my skate board out and cruise through Port to work every day...

Russell Jean, 04-07-11 14:38:

Bravo Brett !! Things for the locals but could be accessed by the tourists also. More infrastructure to get the locals to our area and also to keep them here. Thats what we need. Maybe the shared bike/footway from Macrossan Street all the way to IGA could be incorporated in your idea?? Fitness stations at intervals along the way down to Four Mile Park and the beach or out to IGA so locals could run from home into town and back?? How about lighting up the facilities also to accomodate those working at odd hours?? Lots could be done with this idea?? Also thinking that the school could utilise a facility like this if it were to run out that way?? Good on you Brett !!