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In partnership with National Fitness Campaign and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois, Fon du Lac Park District celebrated the launch of its brand-new Fitness Court Studio—an innovative, outdoor workout space designed for all fitness levels. With help from local partners like C&G Concrete Construction and a lively ribbon-cutting event filled with community energy, this project brings free, accessible wellness to the heart of Fon du Lac’s trail system
East Peoria, IL —The Fon du Lac Park District celebrated the grand opening of its new Fitness Court Studio on Tuesday with a vibrant launch event bringing together local residents, city leaders, health and wellness partners, and supporters from across East Peoria. This exciting new addition to the park system was made possible through a partnership with National Fitness Campaign (NFC) and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois (BCBSIL).
The ribbon-cutting ceremony, held at the Fon du Lac Park District Administration Center, marked a major milestone in the District’s ongoing mission to promote healthy lifestyles and provide accessible recreational opportunities for the community. Located at 201 Veterans Drive, the Fitness Court Studio is strategically placed near the River Trail of Illinois, with convenient access to parking, a pavilion, and a water fountain and bottle filling station.
“This project from start to finish has been flawlessly coordinated through the National Fitness Campaign,” stated Craig Weigle, park district director. “The District also wants to thank Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois for their gracious grant donation that made this incredible project possible. We are proud to bring free outdoor fitness to our community. The location at the Fon du Lac Park District Administration Center was an excellent location due to its available parking, proximity to the River Trail of Illinois Walking/Running/Biking Trail, Pavilion and Water Fountain/Bottle Filling Station.”
The Fitness Court Studio is designed to be inclusive and adaptable for all fitness levels—from beginners to advanced athletes. “You can do any level of fitness on it,” said Craig Weigle, Fon du Lac Park District’s executive director. “You can start from novice intermediate to the hardcore stuff. You can spend seven minutes, you can do a 14-minute routine or you can do a routine on the Studio platform to music.”
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The launch event featured group fitness demonstrations, music, and healthy refreshments from local partners including FXB East Peoria, Jazzercise East Peoria, and 5 Star Nutrition East Peoria. Contributing to the success of the installation was C&G Concrete Construction, a family-owned business based in East Peoria that has delivered exceptional commercial concrete craftsmanship throughout Central Illinois since 1966. Their support and expertise played a vital role in bringing the Fitness Court to life.
“Regular exercise is essential to maintaining personal health and reducing health care costs,” said Katie Cangemi, senior program officer of community investment, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois. “Blue Cross is committed to promoting better health in our communities, and this Fitness Court Studio makes it easy for anyone at any fitness level to get a good outdoor workout, connect with neighbors, and stay healthy.”
The Fon du Lac Park District, established in 1920, has long been a pillar of recreation and wellness in East Peoria, offering a wide array of amenities including trails, playgrounds, golf courses, and nature preserves. With the addition of the Fitness Court Studio, the District continues its tradition of providing inclusive, high-quality fitness options for residents of all ages.
This launch marks another step forward in National Fitness Campaign’s mission to build a network of healthy infrastructure across the country. NFC is proud to work with committed partners like BCBSIL and community leaders like Fon du Lac to bring free world-class outdoor fitness to cities and towns across America.
