City Gets Grant for Fitness Equipment
What began as an unsolicited phone call to Olney City Hall has turned into an opportunity to add a new recreational amenity to Tom Griffin Park.
The Olney City Council voted June 23 to approve a resolution authorizing the City and Keep Olney Beautiful to move forward with fundraising for an outdoor fitness court after the community was unexpectedly selected to receive a $60,000 grant through the National Fitness Campaign and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas.
Mayor Rue Rogers told council members he initially wasn’t sure the program would be a good fit when representatives from the National Fitness Campaign contacted him two months ago. After discussing the idea with leaders of Keep Olney Beautiful, the organization submitted a non-binding application “just to see where this goes.”
Five days later, they received surprising news.
“They called us and said, ‘You’ve been awarded the full amount of $60,000,’” Mayor Rogers said. “Olney is a perfect fit. The location, the visibility, the traffic, foot traffic that’s there — all the things they look for, we checked the box, and they wanted to work with us.”
The 30-foot-by-30foot fitness court would be installed inside the park’s walking trail, allowing users to complete bodyweight exercises such as pull-ups, pushups, and stretching routines. Each exercise station includes QR codes that link users to instructional videos and guided workouts through a free smartphone app.
The project carries an estimated cost of about $160,000, leaving approximately $100,000 to be raised locally. Mayor Rogers said Keep Olney Beautiful has pledged to lead that effort through donations, local businesses, foundation grants, and its own operating funds.
“No city funds would be expended for this project,” Mayor Rogers said. “It ends up being a city project, but partnering with Keep Olney Beautiful.” The city’s responsibility would be maintaining the facility after it is installed.
Council members also learned that one side of the fitness court could feature a mural designed by a local artist, adding another piece of public art to the park.
Mayor Rogers said the addition would complement recent improvements to Tom Griffin Park, including new playground equipment, upgrades to the swimming pool, and improvements along the walking trail.
“That park in 10 years has really been transformed,” he said. “This would be another great addition to it and something else that we can provide to the city and the citizens.”