This year, Athabasca’s Community Registration Night on Sept. 11 is getting a healthy addition: the first Athabasca Community Health Fair.
From 5–8 p.m. at the Athabasca Regional Multiplex that Wednesday, along with the usual opportunities to register for everything from indoor soccer to Girl Guides of Canada, community members can learn how to get healthy without paying a cent.
“I really think people are surprised sometimes when they find out, ‘Oh, I didn’t know that was available,’ or, ‘Oh, nobody told me about that,’” said health fair organizer Trisha McGregor of the many free health classes and resources in town. “This is a good way to find out in one location.”
McGregor, a registered nurse with Alberta Health Services’ (AHS) Alberta Healthy Living program, is organizing the fair along with representatives from AHS’s public health and community mental health branches. She said the fair will ensure Athabascans realize the sheer breadth of free programs available “for their mental health, physical health and family health.”
Other confirmed groups that will have booths at the fair include Family and Community Support Services (FCSS), Athabasca Addictions and Mental Health Services, Athabasca Child Services, and the Athabasca and Area Prevention of Relationship Abuse Action Committee.
“We’re trying to make it interactive and fun,” said McGregor. She said the fair will include games and a passport system: each health-related group will give stamps to those who stop by their booths. Stamped passports will be entered in a draw for prizes including a one-month multiplex family pass donated by the multiplex and an exercise bike donated by Canadian Tire. Other prizes will be dispensed throughout the evening.
Although the programs being touted at the fair are not new, some have only been around for a couple of years and are still underutilized, said McGregor. For example, she said, Alberta Healthy Living offers a free exercise program at the multiplex for people living with chronic health conditions. An exercise therapist does an assessment with interested people before they begin.
“They can come, and they learn safe exercises at their level,” said McGregor of the eight-week program.
Other programs offered through Alberta Healthy Living include a cardiac health class, an introduction to type 2 diabetes class and weight education sessions.
Anyone seeking information about the free classes listed above can call 1-877-349-5711.
McGregor encourages even those who are in fine health to come to the fair.
“We’re going to have … lots of tips on maintaining your healthy lifestyle, too.”
