Newsroom | News Releases

  • Share to Linked in
  • Share to Facebook

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois Invites Communities to Join Program to Build Public Outdoor Fitness Courts

CHICAGO — Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois (BCBSIL) is teaming up with National Fitness Campaign (NFC) to bring 15 outdoor Fitness Courts® to communities across the state.  

BCBSIL is the lead sponsor of the National Fitness Campaign in Illinois, and is encouraging municipalities, schools and other organizations in the state to indicate interest in applying to join the campaign and bring a Fitness Court® to their community. A total of $750,000 in Grant Funding is available in 2022 from NFC’s National Sponsors and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois to support qualified applicants, who will  contribute remaining funds locally if selected for the program.

“Regular exercise is essential to maintaining health and wellbeing and improving health outcomes.” said Katie Cangemi, Senior Program Officer, Community Investment at BCBSIL. “Blue Cross is committed to healthy communities and these Fitness Courts make it easy for anyone at any fitness level to get a good outdoor workout, connect with neighbors and stay healthy.”

“The National Fitness Campaign is proud to welcome Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois as our state sponsor across Illinois” said Mitch Menaged, Founder of NFC. “This program will deliver tremendous resources to contribute to the important mission of improving health outcomes as the network of Fitness Courts grows across the state and joins hundreds of participating communities nationwide.”

Completed Fitness Courts will be located in publicly accessible areas, with the structures designed for use by people of all ages and ability levels. Guided by a smartphone app and with their doctor’s approval, people using the Fitness Court four times a week over a three-month period can potentially lower their resting heart rate by up to 8%.

Municipalities, schools and other organizations in Illinois can apply for grant funding through NFC to plan, fund and receive assistance in constructing a Fitness Court. Those interested in applying for funding can learn more about funding by visiting nationalfitnesscampaign.com/illinois.

###

About Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois (BCBSIL) is committed to expanding access to quality, cost-effective health to as many people as possible in Illinois. BCBSIL is dedicated to innovation and exploring, nurturing and activating future possibilities to make the health care system work better for our members and our communities. BCBSIL is a division of Health Care Service Corporation, a Mutual Legal Reserve Company and an Independent Licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.

Media Contact

Colleen Miller
Colleen_Miller@bcbsil.com



Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois, a Division of Health Care Service Corporation, a Mutual Legal Reserve Company, an Independent Licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association