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2005 News and Information

Richmond Joins 20 by 2010 Challenge

June 16, 2005

The City of Richmond has joined the Province of BC, 2010 LegaciesNow and other BC municipalities in a challenge to increase physical activity by 20 per cent by 2010.

In March of 2005, the Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM) issued the challenge to BC municipalities to support 2010 LegaciesNow 20 per cent by 2010 targets. The goal is to increase physical activity in BC, and to reduce the number of risk factors for chronic illness. The City of Richmond has engaged in the following innovative programs that directly support this initiative:

  • Action Schools is a pilot project of the City and Action Schools BC that highlights community opportunities available to schools and families for engaging in physical activity
  • Move for Health Day on May 7, 2005 resulted in a successful family-oriented walk in Richmond, and will continue in the future
  • IWalk (International walk to school project) highlights the importance of physical activity by promoting walking to school. The City works in collaboration with the Richmond School Board to offer an art contest for children to demonstrate how they engage in physical activity
  • Play Day 2004 attracted nearly 11,000 children and parents, with the focus on playing for the day and all the positive aspects of play. Play Day this summer is sure to be a huge success
  • The City’s Corporate Wellness Program has engaged over 60 per cent of employees in healthy lifestyle programs and services
  • Garratt Wellness Centre is a joint venture between the City and Richmond Health Services offering programs to those living with some form of chronic illness to help manage their illness, and to help them develop the confidence and skills to exercise in our community centres
  • Established the “Getting Richmond Moving” team to encourage youth to remain active beyond the school year, and to achieve the 20 by 2010 physical activity target, which will be publicly launched later this month.

Richmond is home to Canada’s longest-living population, regarded by Statistics Canada, and increased physical activity as little as 30-minutes a day can maintain the active lifestyles in our community. To learn more, visit the City online http://www.richmond.ca/parksrec/overview.htm.