$250,000 to Support Wellness Centre

People in Digby and Annapolis counties will soon have all the facilities they need to get active and improve their health at the LIFEPLEX Wellness Centre in Cornwallis.

Health Promotion Minister Rodney MacDonald presented a cheque today, April 25, for $250,000 to the Basin Wellness Society, whose work and planning made the centre a reality.

"Being physically active provides Nova Scotians the ability to enjoy longer, healthier and more productive lives," said Mr. MacDonald. "The way the community rallied its support for the LIFEPLEX centre is promising because it shows that people understand the importance of being physically active."

The community has been without a wellness facility since 1998 when the Physical Education and Recreation Training Centre at the former base in Cornwallis was destroyed by fire. The burnt building is being reconstructed into the new LIFEPLEX Centre.

Research conducted throughout Digby and Annapolis found that the nearest fitness facilities were 55-120 kilometres away. When the $6.5-million LIFEPLEX is completed in January 2006 it will feature a four-lane 25-metre indoor swimming pool, a therapeutic pool, an indoor walking track, a facility for wellness and research, fitness and cardio centre, a water slide and other wellness services.

Local area physician Dr. Kenneth Buchholz says the facility will have a positive effect on the overall health of the community.

"The impact of LIFEPLEX on the health of local residents cannot be overstated," he said.

The project has been funded jointly through municipal governments, the Annapolis West Health Foundation, the Digby and Area Health Services Charitable Foundation, Kespuwick Developments, fundraising and the Office of Health Promotion.

"With the construction of the LIFEPLEX Wellness Centre the people of Cornwallis have taken a solid step in improving the health and fitness of their community," said Mr. MacDonald. "I want to thank the people of Cornwallis and the Basin Wellness Society for working so hard on such an important project."