Cache Creek Council voted to extend the Seniors Fit For Life program until December, keeping Vicky Trill on as facilitator.
Trill was at the Feb. 12 meeting to report on the program so far, as well as a conference held Feb. 2 in Cache Creek. The Village’s contract with her ended on Jan. 31.
Treasurer Lori Pilon said the program, which started with a $20,000 grant from the province, was being paid for by the participants at no cost to the Village.
Mayor John Ranta pointed out that the program was being funded by money left over from last year, and if there wasn’t an increase in membership, the program might not be sustainable by the end of the December.
Ranta added that he supported the program. So did Coun. Darrell Rawcliffe, who noted that even though the majority of participants were from outside Cache Creek, “it’s a fantastic program.”
Earlier in the meeting, Trill recounted how the program had begun last June with a $20,000 grant from the Age-Friendly Community Planning and Projects grant program.
The program incorporates several different activities, such as Aqua Fit, Functional Fitness level 2 and 3, Bocce Ball, outdoor walking, line dancing and a planned family dance night. She also recommended to Council that a Chair Fit component be added for seniors who are at a low level of fitness.
“People are excited about the program,” she said. “It’s making a difference in lives.”
She told Council that she is trying to figure out “who is still out there and what’s holding them back.”
Although her classes fill the Community Hall, the low fee paid by participants means that the program isn’t really breaking even yet.
Although there are some Cache Creek participants, the majority are from out of town, coming from as far away as Loon Lake.
She says that she is starting to reach the people who didn’t think they could exercise anymore, and they are finding out that it is never too late to start.
Trill said the highlight of the program so far was when Lt. Governor Judith Guichon came to see them as she toured Cache Creek on Jan. 29. Her Honour even joined in the hula hooping, much to the excitement of the regular participants.