By Cecilia Nasmith

Throughout the spring, Northumberland-Peterborough South MP Kim Rudd has announced a number of New Horizons program grants for seniors' programming throughout Northumberland County.

With a June 21 deadline to apply for the next round of New Horizons grants, Keith Oliver approached Cobourg council this week to submit an application on behalf of the project he has been working on for more than a year – an adult outdoor fitness park.

The program is something of a unique case, he allowed, as it does not require any financial or in-kind input from the town, But having their backing in making the New Horizons application would be a plus.

Oliver estimates it to be a $95,000 project, which will be modelled on similar successful installations in Whitby and Peterborough. The committee working with him to see it through consists of two additional seniors so far and two more to come. As New Horizons funding tops out at a certain level, they will explore additional funding options.

“This is a whole new generation of equipment,” Oliver said.

“I have also gained a good knowledge of instructional signage.”

His Fitness Park Working Group have also planned beyond the eventual installation, exploring how the park can be maximized, promoted and used for special programming to help ensure it achieves its potential for fostering fitness among the community's seniors.

Councillor Emily Chorley's motion called for staff to work with Oliver and his committee with the goal of a New Horizons application submitted by June 21, if possible.

As well, she moved that council consider the park in its 2020 budget deliberations – and direct staff to report to council by Oct. 15 on estimated installation and maintenance costs, as well as recommended locations and information about the safety record of such equipment in Ontario and additional funding opportunities.