Letter: Games Complex has plenty of value

In response to your editorial in the Thunder Bay Source on Friday April 15, 2011, as a physiotherapist, community member and parent, I have some concerns.

You compared the plight of the city golf courses to the Canada Games Complex and stated it “should also be on the chopping block” since there are private gyms and a comparable pool (being Lakehead University).

Obviously the writer has never been to the Canada Games Complex.  This important city run facility offers fitness, recreation and leisure opportunities to the community that no other facility can compare with.  People with disabilities can access inclusion services to have a staff assist them with accessing the pool or other programs run through the Complex.

The Complex also has partnered with St. Joseph’s Care Group to offer community exercise programs to post stroke survivors and people living with MS .The staff also support a Cardiac Rehabilitation exercise program.

It is the only facility with wheelchair accessible weight training equipment and age appropriate NuStep machines and arm ergometers are available. The Complex has been the site for a pilot program for post cancer survivors and exercise.

The Complex also offers affordable cross training programs to local hockey teams that allow them access to the weight room and track.  With the increase in Canadian obesity rates and consequent health impacts, it is unbelievable that any health promotion and fitness facilities of this caliber would be considered a luxury.

The pool is used widely for swimming lessons and offers competitive swimming with the Thunderbolts Swim Club.  There is no other facility that offers the diving equipment that the Thunder Bay Diving Club has used to produce national level athletes.  This facility has also hosted national level diving and swimming competitions that bring in athletes and their families to our region and much needed tourism dollars.

The Complex offers programming to children with summer camps and Neighbourhood Recreation Program (NRP) which is a free, inclusive, drop-in program for children on Tuesday nights. 

Will a private gym do this for our community?  The city has done a fabulous job using this facility and staffing it with great people.  Please take the time to see what this wonderful facility has to offer and congratulate our city for supporting it.

Erin Puhalski,
Physiotherapist,
Thunder Bay