FREE TECHNOLOGY-ENABLED OUTDOOR FITNESS COURT COMING TO MARSING 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 9, 2024

(Marsing, ID) – The National Fitness Campaign (NFC) awarded $30,000 to Marsing as part of the 2023 Healthy Cities campaign which kicked off the Owyhee County Fitness Court project. The campaign is designed to activate public spaces by connecting trails, well-placed pedestrian infrastructure and community meeting points with the world’s best outdoor gym.

The Fitness Court® is a state-of-the-art, digitally connected platform for all ages and abilities to develop healthy habits, maintain long-term wellness, and fight the obesity epidemic. The award-winning Fitness Court® makes world-class fitness free and accessible for communities. The Fitness Court® will be built at the HUB, a highly visible and active area, and is scheduled to open later this year.

Marsing School District Superintendent, Norm Stewart says, “This is an exciting project for Marsing because it promotes fitness and well-being both to our kids at the HUB and for the public at large. This is intended to become a community gathering space where public fitness classes can happen and everyone can use and benefit from it.”

To date, over $114,000 has been raised:

• The City of Marsing and Owyhee County have each committed $10,000 in funding with their local matches.
• The Idaho Department of Commerce is supporting the project with a $50,000 grant as part of the state’s Rural Initiative to provide assistance to rural communities for the planning and implementation of economic development projects that facilitate economic growth through job creation, job retention, and economic diversification.
• The project has also received donations from local companies: AMVAC and US Ecology.
• Additional grants were awarded from Southwest District Health and the Southwest Idaho Legacy Organization.
• The Marsing School District board made an in-kind contribution by donating the piece of property behind the HUB where the fitness court will be installed.

The Owyhee Health Coalition, City of Marsing, and the Marsing School District are now seeking support from local sponsors and donors who want to get involved with this unique program. Up to $85,000 is still needed to complete this project which includes an estimated $20,000 for labor and materials to pour the concrete pad and up to $25,000 for the professional installation of the fitness court. Local sponsors and donors will be recognized on the Fitness Court® structure itself, through regional and statewide promotions, on the Fitness Court® mobile app, and at the launch event. To inquire about sponsorship opportunities, please contact Jolyn Thompson at jthompson@marsingcity.com or (208) 896-4122.

To become a Fitness Court® Ambassador, get a sneak peek at official classes and challenge events, or to learn more about the 2024 Healthy Cities campaign, Owyhee County residents can visit the NFC website to learn more: nationalfitnesscampaign.com

About Southwest District Health

Southwest District Health is one of seven public health districts throughout Idaho established to protect and promote the health and wellness of those who live, work, and play in our region. We proudly serve Adams, Canyon, Gem, Owyhee, Payette and Washington Counties. We work in partnership with our community to identify health needs, design solutions, and implement services that encourage behaviors contributing to healthier, longer lives. Learn more at swdh.org.

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Media Contacts:

Monique Evancic, Public Information Officer 
Southwest District Health
Monique.Evancic@phd3.idaho.gov
208-800-1262