Written By Jeffrey Reed
If you watched television during the early-1970s, then you most likely remember the public service announcements for ParticipACTION, a Canadian government-launched movement to promote physical activity. Those promos were used to scare, embarrass and motivate us with a message that the health of an average 30-year-old Canadian was on par with a 60-year-old Swede.
Those PSAs, along with the launch of ParticipACTION’s myriad of programs and spinoff initiatives, got Canadians moving like never before. Concurrently, a tennis boom, fueled by the likes of Chris Everet and Bjorn Borg, a record number of junior golfers at local links plus a running craze that still hasn’t slowed down all played a big part in creating a healthier society.
Of course, we would soon begin to spend many lazy hours in front of screens and continue to consume unhealthy fast food. But something happened during the COVID-19 pandemic: Canadians rediscovered the importance of keeping fit and leading an overall healthy lifestyle. Sure, the isolation and uncertainty created by the pandemic heightened challenges attached to mental health and addiction. But as outdoor recreation helped lead a return to normalcy, those who invest in physical activity again recognized its importance.
Here in Middlesex County, scores of new and improved sports and recreation facilities stem from government funding and private investments. The revitalized Strathroy Royals Field of Dreams baseball diamond at Yorkview Community Park, with help from a $125,000 grant from the Jays Care Foundation, is a glowing example of the importance of a well-outfitted and inclusive sports facility.
Perhaps Strathroy Royals Minor Baseball Association president Jason Turnbull said it best when he called fields like the upgraded Royals diamond “more than just diamonds. They are safe spaces where kids learn confidence, resilience and teamwork.”
Ball diamonds at Poplar Hill and Komoka parks have been updated with new backstops.
The new playground at Ilderton’s Timberwalk Lions Park, made possible through a donation from the Ilderton & District Lions, is now open. Komoka Park is home to a new basketball court, thanks to a donation from Middlesex Paving & Maintenance and LIUNA Local 1059. And in Mount Brydges, town council approved the contract for the installation of new playground equipment at Woods Edge Park.
Even a grassroots initiative like a bike rodeo can help instill confidence within a child while promoting the importance of exercise. On June 14, the 17th annual free Bike Rodeo at Alexandra Park in Strathroy sees a number of local groups continue to sponsor the event. While bicyclists in a number of categories will receive trophies, the day is all about community.
The feds still tell us we’re not as fit as our friends in Sweden, but we’re closing the gap through participation and action.
