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Hospital foundation seeks council support for outdoor fitness equipment; council OKs site survey
Summary
Representatives from the hospital foundation asked the council whether to pursue fundraising for year-round outdoor fitness equipment; the foundation would raise funds and asked the city for land and help with installation/maintenance if the project proceeds. Council members agreed to a site visit and further follow-up.
Representatives of the local hospital foundation asked the Murray County Council whether the foundation should pursue fundraising and a site survey for a proposed outdoor fitness installation intended to improve community health and accessibility.
"The thing with these outdoor fitness equipment is it's supposed to help improve health, wellness, accessibility within the community," said Brianna Soulheim, who identified herself as a member of the hospital foundation and a hospital employee. Soulheim and Amber Humphre presented three equipment-package options and said the foundation would lead fundraising and outreach while asking the city to provide land, assist with installation and handle ongoing maintenance if the project goes forward.
The foundation shared rough cost estimates supplied by the vendor: equipment priced near $23,000 plus installation and surfacing (options discussed included synthetic turf, poured-in-place surfacing, concrete or mulch). Foundation representatives said some vendors indicated lower-cost installations on grass might be possible but that site visits would confirm surfacing requirements and safety-zone layout.
Council members discussed likely locations — Centennial Park, the recreation area near the tennis/volleyball courts (referred to as ROP), or Gullard Park — and raised concerns about proximity to playgrounds and line-of-sight for parents. Soulheim said the foundation favors a site where parents could watch children while using the equipment. The council signaled general support and agreed staff should schedule vendor site visits to evaluate locations and costs.
The foundation asked for no city financial match at this stage; Soulheim said the foundation would "handle all the fundraising side of things." Next steps are vendor site visits and a follow-up report to the council if the foundation and vendor recommend moving ahead.
