Comox Valley residents know they have a playground full of recreation options at their doorstep, and now the rest of the country will see just how much we get out and play.
The Valley was selected as one of four winning communities across Canada as part of CBC's Get Out and Play contest, and will be a featured My Town location as part of Sports Day in Canada, a national celebration of sport, community building and active living on Nov. 30.
"When you look around and see what amazing facilities we have in our community for year-round recreation, it is obvious that there is a collective vision towards a fit, active community," explained Jennifer Cox, Active Comox Valley co-ordinator, who applied to have the community featured in the CBC contest.
"Comox Recreation is an award-winning facility. Courtenay Rec just underwent an amazing expansion of the Lewis Centre. Our sports centre is always bustling with activity and as the CBC saw when they were here filming, the aquatic centre regularly hosts Aquasize classes of up to 50 exercisers."
The three other communities chosen to be featured are Yellowknife, Bridgewater, N.S., and Montreal.
Cox said she initially heard of the contest — which sees each winning community receive a grant of $2,500 from ParticipACTION — through the manager of recreation facilities at the Comox Valley Sports Centre.
A crew from Vancouver visited the Comox Valley last week to film various locations and actives around the area including standup paddle boarding at the Comox Marina and stair climbing at Goose Spit. Lead-up coverage to Sports Day in Canada is scheduled to air between 1:30 and 2 p.m. Nov. 9 on CBC.
As part of the national celebration of sport and healthy active living, Active Comox Valley is challenging residents to reach or exceed one million minutes of activity in a single day on Nov. 27.
Cox noted activities can include running, cycling, swimming, walking, yoga, and much more, either solo or part of a class.
"The 30-minute challenge is a quick and easy way to stay motivated as we head into winter and there will be lots of fun activities planned to demonstrate how easy it is to stay active when days are shorter and time is limited," she explained.
Cox added people can enter their commitment of 30 minutes of activity at www.activecomoxvalley.ca/challenge.
"There is a possibility of winning a further $1,000 in sports equipment for the community based on an application I enter after the challenge showing photo and/or video coverage of our community in action on our 30 minute challenge day," she said.
On Nov. 30, Sports Day in Canada will be filmed live from Calgary and will feature a finalist from the four communities.
For more information about Sports Day in Canada, visit sportsday.cbc.ca.
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