By Cecilia Nasmith

Deadline met and thanks extended, Keith Oliver reported at this week's committee-of-the-whole Cobourg council meeting.

Oliver had recently appeared before council to request staff assistance in applying for a New Horizons grant for a new adult outdoor fitness park in light of a looming application deadline.

In the end, he said, staffer Alison Greer worked with the Fitness Park Working Group to get all ducks in a row in time to push the “send” button five hours before deadline – whereupon, high-fives and hugs were exchanged.

The working group now consists of Bev Snyder (a physiotherapist with 20 years experience), Dave Avery (a local physical trainer), Bruce Bellaire (a senior active in many physical pursuits) and Hilda Bryan-Seet (a retired geriatric nurse whose son Bryan is the group's webmaster).

All three quotes for equipment indicate a $25,000 cost, and letters of support have been received from Northumberland-Peterborough South MP Kim Rudd, the co-ordinator of the local chapter of the Ontario Senior Games Association and the Haliburton Kawartha Pine Ridge District Health Unit board.

“We couldn't be more pleased with the progress being made and the many individuals who became involved, often by pure chance,” Oliver said.

“We are especially pleased with the trust that council has put in us, and we've come here tonight to say a simple thank-you.”