City enrols in well-being challenge

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This article was published 22/06/2022 (1346 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

If enough people in Brandon get active this month, it could earn the city a chance at funding for a project.

ParticipACTION is looking for Canada’s most active community through the Community Better Challenge, happening until June 30. Brandon is participating and doing well, but more people need to get involved if it hopes to qualify for a shot at a $100,000 grant, said Brady Dane, recreation co-ordinator for the city’s parks and recreation department.

This community challenge has been happening for a few years, but Dane said new to this year is Canada’s Most Active Community Challenge. Every minute of recorded activity by individuals is put towards a municipality’s total. The number of minutes, plus the number of individuals and active sports organizations are added up to qualify the municipality to be chosen.

Manitoba is picking the top four communities to compete against 50 finalist communities across Canada. Each one of those communities will put forth a community project that will be considered for the $100,000 prize.

At the provincial level, there is $7,500 up for grabs.

“The best way to get in on this is to get more people involved,” he said. “Right now, in the provincial rankings, we have fluctuated between fourth and fifth for a while, but I was told by the people involved in the list is don’t get too hung up on it because the big thing is getting people signed up for the app.”

It really comes down to the number of people that signed up and are tracking their minutes, he said. More people getting involved puts the city in a better position to put in a bid if they make it to the top 50, as well as the provincial prize.

This is a challenge for anyone, he said. People download an app and sign up to get involved in the challenge and track the number of minutes spent doing physical activity during the day.

The best part is it can be any kind of activity, said Dane. It can be a light walk, housework or even gardening, just as long as people are moving and adding minutes to the app that go towards Brandon’s score.

“If I mow the lawn, I can put in 30 minutes of yardwork,” he said. “If I go for a run, I can put down 16 minutes of running. Any kind of physical activity, you track that in the app.”

He added this can also be linked to a person’s Fitbit that will also add their activity to their tally. Anyone competing on or coaching sports teams can also add the minutes of each person in each game to the minutes tally. Dane said he’s reached out to many youth sports teams to get involved. All the staff and volunteers at Brandon’s Community Sportsplex and all the city’s recreation programs are also tracking their respective activities.

There isn’t a specific project in mind right now, Dane said. They are focusing on getting into the top 50, then the department and city council will get together to work on a project plan.

While the city could win funding, individuals can also win prizes based on the amount of activity. Every minute someone puts into the app automatically enters them into different prize draws for items like gift cards. Brandon has always encouraged active lifestyles through programming and amenities like walking trails, parks and sports facilities, said Dane. He’s not surprised so many have signed up so far but said there seems to be an eagerness to get out he hasn’t seen before.

“People have been shut in because of the pandemic and they are looking for things to do and get out, socialize and be active again and this helps give them a great reason,” he said. “It’s not just about prizes, it’s being out in the community again, being with other people.”

The app is available through Google Play and the Apple App Store. Links to the apps and more information on the challenge is available at https://bit.ly/2RIqZTQ.

»kmckinley@brandonsun.com

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