COBDEN — A local planning group for the Healthy Kids Community Challenge has permission from the Township of Whitewater Region to purchase varied watercraft and safety equipment, as well as erect natural play spaces.
Renfrew County received $825,000 over three years in grant money to provide municipalities with funding to participate in the Healthy Kids Community Challenge (HKCC), said Dave Alexander at a recent council meeting. He, along with Neil Nicholson, who are just two members of the planning group, spoke to council about the HKCC.
In a provincial report titled Healthy Kids Strategy, there were a wide variety of recommendations to promote healthy weight in children and youth, Mr. Alexander said. The report called for community-driven programs that helps develop healthy communities for children.
There were new programs every nine months, he said. The first was Run, Jump Play Every Day, which ran from January to September 2016. The second one, which is still running is, Water Does Wonders.
In February 2015, the County did a needs assessment to profile communities within its boundaries, Mr. Alexander said, explaining, this included looking at various barriers, assets and opportunities within each community’s capacity and resources for providing what is needed.
In the first challenge, Whitewater Region received $10,000 to create a physical activity lending hub and then in the second challenge, received $7,000 to create natural play stations, he said.
The local planning group decided on purchasing canoes, paddleboards and kayaks, with safety equipment, that children can access, he said. There was also discussion of purchasing a trailer to haul this equipment around, but that was taken off the list due to expense, he added.
The group received permission to purchase the items and now are finding a place to keep them. They discussed building a shed or fencing off an area at Cobden Beach where children swim. However, it was noted Little Lakes has been where swimming lessons are for the township, as well as Nangor Resort near Westmeath.
As for the natural play spaces, Mr. Alexander noted local groups and organizations can submit a form to request funding from the local planning group, which will review and authorize the spending of funds.
Councillor Charlene Jackson said, “I commend you guys for taking control of this. I was wondering where the grant was and what avenues are being taken.”
She noted other municipalities are struggling with where to focus the funds and how to implement a lending hub, as well as finding staff to become involved.
“To have a volunteer group come forward and take charge is absolutely wonderful and thank you so much,” Coun. Jackson added.
Whitewater promotes its waterways, so the idea of watercraft is great, she said.
Chief Administrative Officer Robert Tremblay said once the manager of community services begins his job on April 10, a report will be brought forward and “once the person joins, and with Carmen’s help, figure out the logistics and take it off your shoulders as dedicated volunteers.” (Carmen Miller, deputy-clerk).
Councillor Cathy Regier was concerned with the safety of children taking watercraft out, however Mr. Alexander suggested at least one adult would be with the children who are using the equipment.
He further noted Mr. Nicholson may hold a few training sessions during the summer on the equipment.
Another initiative undertaken by Mr. Nicholson was the grant for Water Does Wonders. He received funding to have two water filling stations installed at the Westmeath rink.
“Kids can fill drinking bottles with fresh clean water,” Mr. Alexander said. “This way, we can encourage them to drink water instead of alternative sugary drinks.”
CAO Tremblay is hoping staff will be able to find grant money to purchase water filling stations in the Beachburg and Cobden arenas.
Mayor Hal Johnson said there have been challenges in trying to set this up and there will be plenty of good comments soon.
“If we don’t do this sort of thing, we’re just robbing our kids of future experiences they can have,” he said.
