The Milton Tokomairiro Community Recreation Centre’s big gym, fitness and function space on Park Rd received $5000 for exercise technology requested by a growing number of users.
Gym manager and former farmer Lily Nimmo sourced the pre-used equipment and managed the funding application to Otago Community Trust, with the support of the centre’s committee
"A brand new Stairmaster is over $30,000," she said.
"We put the trust’s $5000 to our own funds and sponsorship and got ours together with a recumbent bike for $14,000.
"People have been requesting a Stairmaster for a long time and the bike’s really good for people with back and knee problems because it’s a smoother motion.
"You’ve got back support being reclined and being lower means older users can easily get on them."
She said it felt as if the community was re-discovering the 2002-built centre, which has an indoor court, physiotherapy and a large space with "huge potential" above the modern fitness gym with 24-hour access system.
"We have people from all walks of life coming, professionals and shift workers using the 24-hour access, teenagers, retired and elderly people and people receiving financial assistance for gym membership.
"And it seems like quite a lot of people have recently moved to Milton — we’ve probably had 15 or 20 new family memberships sign up in the last couple of months."
The centre was one of 35 organisations awarded from a total of $1,177,317, in Otago Community Trust’s April grants round.
"With over 200 gym members and approximately 100 physiotherapy clients benefiting from their services, the centre has clearly established itself as a vital health resource in Milton," Otago Community Trust chairman, Andy Kilsby said.
"The fact that they draw people from over half an hour away speaks to the facility’s importance in the wider region."
"The specialised equipment addresses specific community needs, particularly for rehabilitation and senior users.
"We also hope the expanded equipment options will help attract new members."
