Town funds group ski lesson for ECHO Society

          Staying healthy and fit can be challenging for anyone, particularly when gyms and fitness centres are frequently closed due to pandemic restrictions. Some community members, though, financial barriers and non-inclusive programs can make it even more difficult to maintain their physical well-being. Thanks to a provincial grant, the Town of Whitecourt has partnered with various agencies around town to address these barriers and support healthy lifestyles for those who otherwise might not be able to afford it.

          The Communities Choosewell RECreate Grant is a provincially funded program intended to promote physical activity, active living, and healthy eating for Alberta communities. Whitecourt was among the nine communities that received the application-based grant this year and received just under $5000 to fund a healthy living program from October 2020 to April 2021. Emma Harper, the Recreation Coordination for the Town of Whitecourt, explained that the town took a two-pronged approach to the project. Half of their programming would be virtual and included nutrition and fitness videos posted to the AJMC Facebook page. The other half focused on providing community members in need with opportunities to stay active and healthy. These opportunities included gym memberships and Eastlink Park Discovery Packages distributed through the town’s various agency partners, such as the Soaring Eagle Support Society and McLeod River Primary Care Network.

          As a part of the fitness opportunity program, Harper reached out to Eastlink Park and arranged a group skiing lesson for one of the town’s local agency partners. Louis Meier, executive director of the ECHO (Empowering Citizens for Health and Opportunity) Society, said that she “jumped right on [the opportunity]!” The ECHO Society supports local community members with developmental disabilities. Meier noted that many of their clients wouldn’t have access to the ski hill if not for the RECreate program opportunity. Thanks to the town’s support, though, the group took to the hill on Friday, March 19th.

          “The weather was absolutely fabulous!” Meier said, laughing. “They were out there just beaming, and it was incredible to see that!” Among the group were seven of the Society’s clients, support staff, and six volunteer ski instructors. The park was closed to the public that afternoon, so the group had the entire ski hill to themselves. Meier said that the group ski lesson was a natural addition to the Society’s emphasis on health and well-being. It was “incredible” to see their clients enjoying an opportunity that they wouldn’t have otherwise. “For us, it’s about being part of the community, having that community inclusion for our individuals, having them feel like they can experience the same things as anybody else can,” Meier said. “For the town to get this grant, and for us to be able to take advantage of that, it’s truly a win-win!”