(Courtesy photo/Albert Villegas)
By ALBERT VILLEGAS
Special to the NEWS
Health is a serious matter for San Benito leaders, and during a grand opening of a fitness court last week, some admitted they too should have a go at using the newest workout site to enhance their overall wellness.
Under windy conditions at Kennedy Park on April 17, city officials joined dozens of health enthusiasts and first responders to officially open an outdoor fitness court aimed at ages 14 and older.
“This is awesome. I need it, I know. I could use it myself also,” joked San Benito Mayor Ricardo “Rick” Guerra, speaking to guests in attendance. “I’ll do my best to be here at 5 o’clock in the morning, if anybody else wants to meet me here.”
San Benito partnered with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas, and National Fitness Campaign to bring the seven-station court and digital wellness programming here.
“This is free exercise space for community members of all abilities,” said Evan Sherbine, Southwest sales director with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas.
Sherbine told guests in attendance that one in two adults don’t get enough physical activity in their daily lives.
“It can lead to chronic, yet preventable conditions,” Sherbine said. “We saw a need to remove barriers and improving physical and mental health.”
He said the fitness court, which is located next to an existing walking trail overlooking the resaca, is an outdoor gym that empowers users to leverage their own body weight for a complete workout using various exercise stations.
Following the ribbon cutting ceremony, San Benito first responders demonstrated the equipment. Firefighter Patrick Housler and police Sgt. Jose Benavides started the exercises, receiving cheers from their respective peers.
According to the City of San Benito, users may download a free fitness court app, which acts as a coach-in-your-pocket and enhances the outdoor gym into a digitally-supported wellness experience.
Sherbine said San Benito is the 35th Texas community that has constructed fitness courts, and 65 more are planned from a budget of nearly $1 million.
All kidding aside, Mayor Guerra said, “This court is yours. Please take care of it.”
Guests were told the fitness court idea was initially pitched by San Benito Assistant Manager Diana Garza, who passed it on to her superior, Fred Sandoval, San Benito City Manager. He then introduced it during San Benito City Commission meetings, mentioning the partnerships that existed.
“Public and private partnerships is what cities need to do today, we can’t do it all on our own,” Sandoval said. “This is a testament to what we can do when we work together, and we leverage our money.”
He said there is a possibility a second fitness court could be constructed upon city commission approval in the near future. A location has not been announced.
When one visits the fitness court, artist Cecilia Sierra’s work is evident. As part of the effort to construct courts, grant funding was available to support local artists collaborating with their communities.
Sierra, who was raised in San Benito, now lives in Brownsville. She was the recipient of a $5,000 check for her collaboration through the city’s Cultural Arts Department.
“Her mural highlights the beautiful ecology of the Rio Grande Valley,” San Benito Cultural Arts Director Aleida Garcia said.
Sierra added: “This is a beautifully unique way to highlight public health and public art, and we’re setting an example for the rest of the Valley to follow.”
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