The Kitchener Rangers Fitness Area opened just when we needed it most

Let’s give three cheers for a resident-led outdoor gym that quietly popped up in Victoria Park in August 2020. Are you one of the many youth and adults who have already discovered that this new amenity is perfect for a much needed pandemic workout?

Introducing the Kitchener Rangers Fitness Area! It’s a four-season gem of an outdoor gym, designed for youth and adults, and laid out to maximize social connections between people while working out.

With the suppoer of the City of Kitchener, the Kitchener Rangers Fitness Area is the result of more than two years of effort from passionate volunteers, partners and sponsors. 

Read on for a look behind the scenes at what made this project happen!

Fiercely Committed Volunteers

In 2018, the outdoor gym project led by resident Barbara Ward and partner YMCA, was awarded a $20,000 LoveMyHood Placemaking Challenge Grant. Since then, a core group of volunteers worked tirelessly to make it happen with the support of a diverse advisory committee. The core volunteers were involved in everything – from engaging with community members and fundraising an additional $50,000, to helping decide on the final design and gym contractor. 

The volunteer team dreamed of an accessible gym where both youth and adults could connect and have fun. They refined their vision with the help of the YMCA and an advisory committee made up of fitness professionals, mental health advocates and supporters. Then, they turned their dream into reality by bringing sponsors on board.

Amazing Sponsors

This project could not have happened without the support of sponsors who together pitched in $50,000 to support the Kitchener Rangers Fitness Area: The Kitchener Rangers, who, as title sponsor, contributed $25,000, the Kitchener Sports Association, who provided a $10,000 grant towards equipment, and Price Health, Rotary Club of Kitchener, and SunLife Financial Centre for Physically Active Communities, who also made significant donations to this project.

Project Partner with Know-how

The YMCAs of Three Rivers (formerly the YMCA of Cambridge & Kitchener-Waterloo) came on board as a project partner and advisor from the start. Their expertise was instrumental to making the Kitchener Rangers Fitness Area a reality.

With everything the pandemic has taught us about the importance of physical activity for our mental and physical wellbeing, the YMCA is excited that Kitchener now has a space to exercise outdoors, just when we most need it.

Eventually, when safe to do so, the YMCA plans to animate the Kitchener Rangers Fitness Area by holding free bootcamp classes at the gym.

And, of course, YOU!

We love how community members are making this outdoor gym their own. Even before the equipment was physically there, Kitchener residents joined us at a 2018 Pop-Up Gym event to raise awareness of the project. Since the gym opened, it has continued to be a great place for physically distanced outdoor exercise.  

We heard from Andrea, one of many people who added the gym to their fitness routine when it opened. “I love the addition of the workout equipment to the park. I see lots of people casually walking past who stop to do a few reps on the equipment before moving on, just because they can,” explains Andrea. “It's great to see. It's quite a busy spot on nice weather days.” 

Just like Andrea and Ananda, we hope you’ll get to enjoy the Rangers Fitness Area the next time you’re in Victoria Park, too! Find the outdoor gym by the Dill Street park entrance and Iron Horse Trail.

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