Shakopee, Minn. (July 10, 2024) – The City of Shakopee invites community members to join us in celebrating the grand opening of the brand new Fitness Court Studio at Scenic Heights Park on Tuesday, July 16 at 1:30 p.m.
The new Fitness Court Studio was made possible through a generous sponsorship from Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota (Blue Cross), a grant from the National Fitness Campaign, solidarity sponsorship from Scott County, and donations from several community partners. The development of this space serves to expand access to free, high-quality fitness and promote equal access to physical activity.
"This Fitness Court Studio represents our commitment to creating opportunities for all people to achieve the healthiest standard of living, which is the core mission of Blue Cross," said Bukata Hayes, vice president of racial and health equity and chief equity officer at Blue Cross. "We are honored to play an integral role in enabling the Shakopee community an equitable opportunity without barriers so its members can engage in physical activity to achieve positive health outcomes."
Fitness Court Studio offers a powerful full-body workout in seven minutes, and offers a versatile outdoor class space where you can enjoy yoga, Zumba, Pilates and other popular group fitness activities on the opposite side. Workouts can be tailored for all fitness levels, so people can go at their own pace. Users can also download the Fitness Court App free, which would be like a coach you can carry in your pocket and that turns outdoor training into a digital wellness experience.
"In Shakopee, we are fortunate to have many options for free outdoor recreation, and I am excited to have Fitness Court join our offering," said Kelsi McNutt, director of parks and recreation in Shakopee.
Shakopee is one of many cities that will soon benefit from mass access to no-cost fitness. With sponsorship from Blue Cross, up to 10 Fitness Courts will be added across Minnesota, with the first location opening in July 2023 in Willmar. The health plan is putting health equity and racial equity at the center of its initiative through accessible fitness opportunities that benefit a wide variety of communities geographically and culturally. Additionally, Blue Cross is emphasizing artistic beautification of the community with designs for the Fitness Court space commissioned by local artists.
In Shakopee, Jimmy Longoria was the person selected to have his work featured as a permanent feature of the Fitness Court Studio. Longoria described this project as an affair of the heart. Typically, his art features horses, tractors and strong women. The images capture Shakopee's transition from being rural to becoming an interconnected residential town.
"'Celebrating Shakopee' is a recognition of the cultural maturity of a very dynamic community," Longoria said of her mural. "The concept of an outdoor fitness center within a community with a diverse age group is an incredible way to create a gathering space for Shakopee residents."
The National Fitness Campaign's primary goal is to build a Fitness Court within a 10-minute bike ride for every American in the country.
"The National Fitness Campaign is proud to welcome Scott County and the City of Shakopee to this campaign as a premier partner in Minnesota to advocate for the mental and physical health of its residents," said Mitch Menaged, Founder of the National Fitness Campaign. "The addition of the Fitness Court Studio, local art, and wellness programming on digital platforms demonstrates the tremendous commitment to health and wellness within the community."
Fitness Court Grand Opening Event Details
Tuesday, July 16th at 1:30 - 3:30 pm
Scenic Heights Park, 1195 Ruby Lane, Shakopee, MN 55379
Limited parking; additional parking available on side streets
1:30 pm: Welcome and comments from various public and private partners
1:55 pm: Ribbon cutting
2 pm: Fitness Court demonstration and police versus firefighter relay race at stations on site
2:30 pm: Free 10-minute workout classes in both English and Spanish will be available until the event ends at 3:30 pm
To learn more about the work Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota is doing to support the NFC, visit nationalfitnesscampaign.com/minnesota.
About Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota
For more than 90 years, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota ( bluecrossmn.com ) has supported the health, well-being and peace of mind of its members by striving to ensure equitable access to the highest quality, affordable health care. Our mission is to drive change, transform health care and contribute to the good health of the people and communities we serve by renewing our thinking and overall system. We have more than 2.5 million members spread across every county in Minnesota, all 50 states and four continents. As a proud nonprofit organization, we believe that working to advance the well-being of all Minnesotans is the greatest investment we can make. Our goal is nothing less than that everyone can achieve their greatest health potential, regardless of race or other socially defined circumstances. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, serving more than 107 million members across the United States.
About the National Fitness Campaign
Founded in San Francisco in 1979, National Fitness Campaign is a wellness consulting company that provides programs and services to cities, schools, and sponsors. Our goal is to build healthy communities across the country. The campaign offers a comprehensive wellness initiative centered around the Fitness Court®, the world’s premier outdoor gym. The National Fitness Campaign welcomed its 500th healthy community in 2023, while continuing to build the nation’s largest public-private partnerships that support people’s wellness with the goal of building a Fitness Court® within a 10-minute bike ride for every American. Follow the National Fitness Campaign on nationalfitnesscampaign.com or on Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn.
