District of Clearwater council has given its support to a request from Clearwater Secondary School for a Schools and Community Connections (SCC) grant.
Up to $12,500 is available per school district, principal Darren Coates told council during its Sept. 11 meeting. Another $5,000 can be awarded under special circumstances.
As far as he is aware, no other school in School District 73 is applying for a SCC grant.
If received, the money would be used primarily to upgrade the school’s weight room. A new audio video system would be available for exercise and Zumba classes, as well as for other school uses. New rubberized flooring would reduce maintenance and lessen the chances of injury. New cardio equipment would include an exercise bike, rower and elliptical, while new strength equipment would be safer and have a wider range of weights and movements.
The upgraded weight room would not be in competition with established commercial exercise businesses, Coates felt. It would only be available to the public during limited hours and would serve to introduce people to regular physical training. If they then want to get serious, they would go to the commercial establishments, he said.