Page 12 THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, JUNE 24, 2022 Mayor offi cially opens new Fi tness Co urt M Special to Th e Advocate ayor Carlo DeMaria was joined by representatives of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts (BCBSMA) to cut the ribbon at the new outdoor fi tness court at Glendale Park. The new fitness court was constructed due to a collaboration between the City of Everett and National Fitness Campaign (NFC). The BCBSMA also dedicated funds for mural artwork to include as part of the equipment and site. Mayor DeMaria expressed his pride in the addition of the new fitness court. He said one of the many things the COVID-19 pandemic has taught everyone is the importance of maintaining health and well-being. “Because our residents are the heart of our community, we take very seriously our responsibility to support strong, healthy families,” said DeMaria. Mayor DeMaria said that he and his administration worked with the NFC to select a spot for the new fi tness court. Glendale Park was chosen because it is easily accessible to a large Everett is the fi rst of 15 Blue Cross Fitness Courts that will be constructed in Massachusetts. The Everett Police Department’s John Uga and Everett Fire Department’s Joe Devanna had one member from each of their departments face off in a fi tness challenge. The challenge would consist of doing all the exercises that are possible on the court to see who could fi nish fi rst. Two representatives from Mayor Carlo DeMaria speaks at the podium. number of residents. “Many families use Glendale Park for sporting and recreational programs for their children, so this may be an option for other family members to get in some exercise while waiting for their kids,” said DeMaria. “It also is in close proximity to Everett High School, so it will serve as a healthy option for young adults.” While the new fi tness court is open to the public, Mayor DeMaria and the City of Everett want to remind residents that the equipment is intendThe City of Everett’s Health and Human Services Equity Access Officer, Antoinette Octave Blanchard, opened the ceremony. ed for individuals who are at least 14 years old. “As is the case with any type of workout equipment, we do want to remind our residents that they need to use the same precautions that you would take Vice President of Corporate Citizenship and Public Aff airs for Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Mass. Jeff Bellows spoke at the podium. working out in a commercial fi tness club,” said DeMaria. Also speaking at the event was Jeff Bellows, vice president of corporate citizenship and public aff airs for BCBSMA. He said the outdoor court in PLAY Fit Lab at the Everett Community Health & Wellness Center, Kahlea Brown and Laura Marchese, demonstrated to the audience the various workouts you could do on the court. Mayor DeMaria and the City of Everett would like to thank the NFC and BCBSMA for their partnership in making this valuable public resource a possibility. PLAY Fit Lab’s Kahlea Brown demonstrated an exercise on the Fitness Court. PLAY Fit Lab’s Laura Marchese demonstrated an exercise on the Fitness Court. Shown from left to right are Everett Police Dept.’s John Uga locking hands with Everett Fire Dept.’s Joe Devanna after competing against each other in the fi tness challenge. Mayor Carlo DeMaria cut the ribbon to offi cially open the new Fitness Court.
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