Aurora needs residents' help to earn title of most active community in Canada

ParticipACTION launches annual better community challenge encouraging communities to get active together

Yorkregion.com
May 7, 2019

Now is the time to step it up.

Representatives from Sport Aurora and Activate Aurora were joined by a number of their community partners at the Aurora Family Leisure Complex this week to announce the intention to become Canada’s most active community and encourage the public to help by participating in the ParticipACTION Community Better Challenge.

The challenge is open to all communities and individuals, recognizing the most tracked active minutes based on population size as Canada’s Most Active Community and awarding it with $150,000 to support local physical activity initiatives and five regional awards of $20,000 each.

“This is our opportunity to prove we are the most active community, which is a powerful statement but one we truly believe in,” Activate Aurora chair Ron Weese said. “It is a big task but as anything that is worthwhile it comes from good effort and hard work.”

Activate Aurora challenges residents to make town Canada's most active community
The two Aurora organizations that promote and support sport and physical activity in the community are challenging participants and organizations to track their active minutes each day beginning May 31 until June 16. Those wishing to take part can register on the free ParticipACTION app or website, which will contribute to the community’s total.

Those 17 years of age and older can select and enter how many minutes were spent doing a host of physical activities. While parents are able to enter minutes for their children on their accounts.

The Town of Aurora has already committed to tracking the number of minutes residents spend in their active programs and encourage residents to log any minutes spent at drop-in programs or out at any town land, such as a walk on the trail system.

Local schools will be logging their daily physical activity minutes as well as any walk to school or active events. Local gyms have committed to logging the minutes their members spend being active at their gyms. The Aurora Seniors Centre will be participating as well.

While Weese confirmed the winnings require the submission of a proposal to receive it, he wouldn’t reveal what Activate Aurora’s proposal included.