Suttons Bay Public School Board of Education (BOE) members voted unanimously 6-0 to approve a letter of intent for an outdoor fitness court at its May 13 regular meeting.
The outdoor fitness center would be funded by a $40,000 2024 Priority Health Campaign grant, something the district applied for and received with help from Title VI mentor and coach Shan Bowens throughout the process. Suttons Bay Superintendent Casey Petz said at the meeting that while they were awarded the grant, they have some steps to take before moving forward and anything happening with the project.
“At this point we’re not at the phase of cutting a purchase order of 100% commitment, it’s just a letter of intent to continue the process… We’re just saying this is something we’re really interested in,” Petz said at the meeting. “The campaign mission is similar to what we’re doing here in Suttons Bay which is building healthy communities and building strong communities with our families and our students and staff…” According to the National Fitness Campaign’s website, the wellness consulting firm behind the outdoor fitness court idea, the gym is designed to provide a full body workout in seven minutes, all for free in the great outdoors. The fitness court, if constructed, would be the first one set up in Leelanau County.
