Image: Mike Vanden Bosch / PML / An estate gift to the Fraser Valley Health Care Foundation will help enable the construction of a new staff fitness centre at Chilliwack General Hospital. CGH executive director Petra Hardy confirmed in an email last week that the new fitness centre for hospital and medical staff will open this summer at CGH. The Chilliwack Medical Staff Association will provide funding to purchase the gym equipment. 
New fitness centre coming to CGH

Fraser Valley Health Care Foundation to fund new fitness centre at CGH for staff

Apr 13, 2023 | 1:48 PM

CHILLIWACK — An estate gift to the Fraser Valley Health Care Foundation, along with additional funding from the Chilliwack Medical Staff Association for the equipment side of things, will enable the construction of a fitness centre for hospital and medical staff at Chilliwack General Hospital.

Petra Pardy, executive director of Chilliwack General Hospital, confirmed in an emailed statement attributed to her last week that a new fitness centre at CGH will be opening this summer. The fitness facility will be available for Chilliwack Health Services staff and medical staff.

“We would like to express our gratitude to the Fraser Valley Health Care Foundation for funding the majority of the centre’s construction and to the Chilliwack Medical Staff Association for purchasing the gym equipment,” Pardy said. “Without their support – and the support of the Chilliwack community – we would not have been able to create this valuable resource for our staff and medical staff.”

This new facility will provide a convenient and accessible space to exercise for hospital staff and medical staff, along with community-based and long-term care staff, as part of Fraser Health’s efforts to support the wellness of its teams.

“For a small membership fee to cover upkeep and maintenance costs, our staff and medical staff will have 24/7 access to this gym to help them meet their wellness goals,” Pardy said. “We hope Chilliwack Health Services staff will take advantage of this new facility and make use of the many benefits that regular exercise can provide, including reducing stress and improving overall well-being.”

Liz Harris, executive director of the Fraser Valley Health Care Foundation, said the new fitness facility will be located close to the Bradley Centre on that wing of Chilliwack General Hospital.

“We received a nice estate gift, and we used some of the funds to go towards the new gym at CGH,” Harris said. “We’re excited to be a part of the project to bring health and wellness to the staff. We work really closely with Fraser Health and regularly discuss items which need support within the hospital. I think exercise is a benefit to everyone. This will help bring great wellness and healthy living. People are really busy and they won’t have to drive to another location. The convenience of it is really nice.”

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