Bowen gets thousands of dollars in park upgrades

Tens of thousands of dollars worth of upgrades are near completion at Margret Stevenson Park, including a $73,000 gym, which opened to the public this week.

The gym was funded by Orange City Council, Housing plus and Real Insurance and was officially opened on Wednesday, with the remaining money .

Orange Mayor John Davis said the 15 station gym would act as a focal point in the neighbourhood and bring people together.

"It's great for the community and it will encourage people to keep up with fitness and it's not just for the people of Bowen," he said.

"It's also for the broader community and will greatly assist in breaking down barriers for residents to engage in physical activity."

Real Insurance spokesperson Phillip Anderson said the outdoor gym initiative, known as realSpaces, was the first of its kind in Australia.

"it is also a testament to the commitment of local community councils and their efforts to provide residents with access to better facilities," Mr Anderson said.

"At Real Insurance, our aim ultimately is to have a positive impact on the health and wellbeing of local communities.

"If we can make exercise more accessible and affordable for people looking to improve their health and fitness levels, we feel we will have made a significant contribution to the lives of everyday Australians.”

Cr Davis said Orange City council had given a high priority to making the city a more bike-friendly and pedestrian-friendly place.

"In places like Moulder Park, the installation of outdoor gym equipment alongside bike paths has proved very popular and I’m sure the residents who live around Margaret Stevenson Park will make the most of this new space," Cr Davis said.

Housing Plus spokesperson Justin Cantelo said the facility would be a "real drawcard" for a space not used often.

"The partnership with Real Insurance has provided a great outcome as it means we have been able to create an even larger facility for residents in the area than was previously funded through Family and Community Services.

"We are very grateful to FACS and Orange City Council for helping to make Bowen a fantastic community to live in, and would also like to thank the residents of Bowen for all their guidance in the early stages of the project.”

The remaining funds from the Housing Plus grant has been used to upgrade the Margaret Stevenson Park basketball backboard and plant 5 mature trees.

Still to be completed is the installation of some park furniture and a bubbler.

GYM: Inspecting the new equipment, David Fischer CEO of Housing Plus in Orange, Phillip Anderson of Real Insurance and Mayor John Davis.

See more : realspaces.org