Prize for health programs

The Peninsula Leisure Centre has won a local government award for its fitness and cardiovascular health programs for seniors.

The Centre was judged State Category Winner in the Provision and Use of Facilities to Improve Heart Health section of the Heart Foundation's Local Government Awards.

The Centre nominated its three seniors' programs, Active Over 50s, Living Longer Living Stronger, and Veterans Affairs' Healthy Heart, for the award.

Gosford Council's Leisure and Lifestyle Coordinator Mr Simon Clarke said the programs had resulted in a 400 per cent increase in seniors' participation at the Centre over the past year.

Mr Clarke said the Centre had developed the programs in response to the high percentage of retirees living in the local area.

"Presently, 18.2 per cent of the area's residents are aged over 65, with their numbers continuing to increase," Mr Clarke said.

"This is far above the national average of 13.3 per cent for this age group."

Mr Clarke said the programs were designed to keep seniors "fit, active, happy and healthy".

The Centre's Active Over 50s program, which is run in conjunction with Northern Sydney Central Coast NSW Area Health, incorporates strength training, gentle exercise and aqua-fitness.

The Living Longer Living Stronger strength training program is run in conjunction with the Council of the Aging and supported by the Australian Government Department of Veterans' Affairs, Brisbane Water Legacy and Fitness NSW.

The Centre's Veterans' Affairs Healthy Heart program is based on national cardiovascular health guidelines and incorporates structured physical activities, educational seminars and biometric screening.

It is run in conjunction with the Australian Government Vietnam Veterans' Counselling Service and Australian Health Management's Healthy Heart program.

Press release, 6 Aug 2007 Kate Carragher, Gosford Council