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VICTORIA TRIES TO BE A FIT CITY

AND APPLIES FOR STATE RECOGNITION AS SUCH

The City of Victoria applied for a Fit City designation and recognition as such by MN Governor Tim Pawlenty and his Governor’s Fit City program. According to information April 26th from Holly Kreft, Victoria Community Development Director, “The purpose of the program is to recognize Minnesota cities that are committed to creating and maintaining a city environment supportive of active living.”

Victoria meets the qualifications since it has a worksite wellness policy for city employes; it maintains and develops walkability capacity and locations that are easily accessible; commits to maintain and develop recreation areas, parks, playgrounds, and playfields; commits to maintain or develop at least one indoor facility available for cold season activity that is open and accessible to all ages; partners with community wide organizations dedicated to specific or general activities that support physical activity.

As Holly reported, “The City of Chaska is the only other Carver County community to have this designation. If approved, the City of Victoria will receive opportunities to advertise the designation and will also use this designation on grant applications.”

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GOVERNOR TIM PAWLENTY DESIGNATES

VICTORIA TO BE A “GOVERNOR’S FIT CITY!”

by John Stieger,

MN Department of Health

Communications Office

Governor Tim Pawlenty and the Governor’s Health Cabinet announced May 4th, 2010, that Victoria has been designated a Governor’s Fit City. The city earned the recognition by making a commitment to support and encourage its residents to be more physically active and to improve the overall health of the community.

“The leaders of Victoria have made a strong commitment to provide physical activity opportunities for people in their city,” Governor Pawlenty said. “This commitment will help keep Victoria citizens healthy for years to come.”

Victoria achieved its designation by completing an application with the Minnesota Department of Health. The application asks cities to indicate their commitment to promoting physical activity, according to several criteria.

Those criteria include whether a city has created inviting places to walk; whether a city has adopted a value statement affirming the importance of fitness; whether a city has sponsored at least one physical activity; and whether a city has developed recreation areas that encourage fitness.

Victoria is committed to implementing a number of strategies for promoting physical activity, including:

*Supporting local and regional trail connections.

*Conducting a Walkable Community Workshop.

*Providing affordable recreation programs and facilities to all age groups.

“Physical activity improves nearly every aspect of a person’s health and contributes to better health overall for communities,” Commissioner of Health Dr. Sanne Magnan said. “We encourage all cities to become Governor’s Fit Cities.”

Victoria will receive a plaque from Governor Pawlenty and may also choose to have Governor’s Fit City signs placed on roadways entering the citey.

The Governor’s Fit City initiative is part of an overall push by Governor Pawlenty to encourage fitness. The governor declared 2005 The Year of Fitness in Minnesota and created the Governor’s Fitness Challenge. More information about the Governor’s Fit City program can be found at www.health.state.mn.us/fitcity.

EDITOR’S NOTE: John Stieger, the writer of this news release, is a descendant of those Stiegers for whom Stieger Lake and Stieger Lake Lane and Shores of Stieger Lake Condominiums are named. John Stieger always spells his name correctly.

SCHOLARSHIPS IN VICTORIA PARK & REC

APPLY NOW FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

Council approved a Youth Scholarship Program through the Victoria Parks and Recreation Program that will provide financial assistance to individuals and families who wish to participate in Victoria recreation programs.

The program will fund 80% of a program’s cost with the maximum funding of $100 per person or $350 per family, annually. Funding is through the Charitable Gambling Fund with support of the Victoria Lions Club. Total proposed funding for 2010 is $1,500.

Click here to continue Scholarships.

Drs. Dungey, Menser & Associates

Victoria and Waconia. 952-443-2816