(HANOVER PARK, Ill., - October 16, 2023) — Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois, Keeneyville School District 20 and National Fitness Campaign today announced an agreement to bring an outdoor Fitness Court® to Spring Wood Middle School. The Fitness Court, located at 5540 Arlington Drive East will officially open on Monday, October 23 at 3:00pm with a Grand Opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony.
This Fitness Court at Keeneyville School District 20 becomes the first school district to join the growing Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois statewide wellness campaign, helping to expand free access to high quality workouts and create equitable access to exercise for the Hanover Park community. The Fitness Court is the world’s best outdoor gym that lets people use their own body weight to get a complete workout using seven exercise stations.
Created with people aged 14 and over and with all abilities in mind, the workouts are adaptable for all fitness levels, allowing participants to move at their own pace. Users also may download the free Fitness Court App which acts as a coach-in-your-pocket and enhances the outdoor gym into a digitally supported wellness experience.
“Regular exercise is essential to maintaining personal health and reducing health care costs,” said Katie Cangemi, senior program officer of community investment, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois. “Blue Cross is committed to promoting better health in our communities, and this Fitness Court® makes it easy for anyone at any fitness level to get a good outdoor workout, connect with neighbors, and stay healthy.”
“Keeneyville School District 20 is excited to bring the Fitness Court to our community to provide an outdoor, accessible place for our students, families, and staff to exercise and come together,” said Dr. Omar Castillo, Superintendent at Keeneyville School District 20. “Our staff has already incorporated the Fitness Court activities into their physical education classes and the students have really enjoyed the workouts with their peers. Physical, mental, and social wellness is such an important part of providing a healthy learning environment for our students, and the Fitness Court is a perfect fit for our district. We are grateful for our community partners, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois and the National Fitness Campaign for helping to enhance our school community.”
“National Fitness Campaign is proud to welcome Keeneyville School District to the campaign as the leading school district in Illinois, championing health and wellness for their students, staff and local residents” said Mitch Menaged, founder of National Fitness Campaign. “We are proud to continue our mission of getting people moving outdoors and helping communities combat the fiscal and humanitarian costs of inactivity.”
Residents are invited to attend the launch event, which will take place on Monday, October 23 at 3:00 p.m. with an opening ceremony to try the Fitness Court.
For more information, contact Keeneyville School District 20 at info@esd20.org or (630) 894-4022. For more information on Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois’ support of NFC, please visit nationalfitnesscampaign.com/illinois.
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About Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois (BCBSIL) is committed to expanding access to quality, cost-effective health care to as many people as possible in Illinois. BCBSIL is dedicated to innovation and exploring, nurturing and activating future possibilities to make the healthcare system work better for our members and our communities. BCBSIL is a division of Health Care Service Corporation, a Mutual Legal Reserve Company and an Independent Licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.
About Keeneyville School District
Keeneyville School District 20 has approximately 1350 students in grades preschool through 8th grade and a staff of over 200. The district serves residents of Bloomingdale, Hanover Park, Keeneyville, and Roselle, and is the largest sending district to Lake Park High School District 108. Developing strong and collaborative partnerships with community partners like the National Fitness Campaign and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois helps to further the district’s mission to ignite the power and potential of each student.
About National Fitness CampaignFounded in San Francisco in 1979, National Fitness Campaign (NFC) is a wellness consulting firm that provides programs and services to cities, schools and sponsors with the mission to build healthy communities. NFC delivers an integrated wellness initiative, centered on the world’s best outdoor gym: The Fitness Court®. The Campaign is planning its 500th Healthy Community, uniting the country’s largest public-private partnership in support of wellness with the goal of building a Fitness Court within a 10-minute bike ride of every American. Follow us on social media @NatFitCampaign and #Fitnesscourt.
