WHITEHALL, Wis. (WEAU) – Work is being done in a room at the Whitehall School District building.
“There is no fitness center anywhere for anybody of any age in the community to work out within a 20 mile radius of Whitehall,” said Sami Becker, the nutrition and transportation coordinator at the Aging and Disability Resource Center of Trempealeau County.
Western Dairyland, ADRC and Inclusa have partnered up to help provide a gym for these rural communities in central Trempealeau County.
“Right away when we talk about what could this look like, and who would be partners for this project, the school came to mind,” said Melissa Youngbauer, the Trempealeau County ADRC supervisor.
“I think the first answer was easy. Absolutely!” said Mike Beighley, the Whitehall School District Superintendent.
The blueprint below is the tentative plan.
Blueprint for fitness center in the works at Whitehall, WI (Western Dairyland)
The coalition of agencies intends for everyone to use the gym.
No matter the ability, or age.
“We really wanted equipment that everybody can use,” said Youngbauer.
These agencies are focusing on one group in particular though.
“The health impact loneliness can have on an individual is a 30% decrease in mortality. Which is equivalent to smoking 15 cigarettes a day,” said Kristin Walukas, the Western Dairyland Retired and Senior Volunteer Program Director.
The goal is to help the elderly facing the dangers of isolation.
Everyone involved says what better way than having generations of these rural communities help each other out.
“The more opportunities we have for our kids to work with our seniors, and vice versa, you can’t have anything but benefits with that,” said Beighley.
Overall, the hope is to not run out of ideas on improving the community.
“Beyond the creating of this fitness center, we’ll continue to find other ways to improve the livability and decrease social isolation in the community,” said Walukas.
Grant money through the Wisconsin Department of Health Services is just the warm up for this project, and the agencies could use more help.
If you would like to donate, click here.
Walukas says the equipment alone could cost $100,000.
The fitness center is expected to open by the end of the year at the latest.
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A community fitness center in the works for rural central Trempealeau County
