1 Stanislaus County school to gain $100K fitness center

The Modesto Bee

Bee Staff Reports

April 29, 2010

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One Stanislaus County school will be awarded a $100,000 fitness center through a state program that encourages students, parents and staff members to eat healthier and get more exercise.

The governor's office sponsors "Fit for the Future," a friendly competition to see how many students can get at least 30 minutes of exercise a day. Private companies contribute, too, offering incentives for the contests.

Anthem Blue Cross and the Coca-Cola Co. are ponying up cash to install fitness centers in 11 schools participating in Fit for the Future. The health care company sponsored three $100,000 gyms last year, and is repeating the contribution. Coca-Cola is sponsoring eight.

State officials announced Wednesday that one Stanislaus County school will get a gym, but the winner has not been picked. Tuolumne Elementary School in south Modesto earned a gym last year.

Those who log a month's worth of "active days" complete the Governor's Challenge. The Stanislaus County Office of Education coordinates the countywide Fit for the Future -- this year, 70,923 county students signed up, and to date 15,962 have completed the challenge and racked up 1.2 million active days.

In the 14-county region of the Governor's Challenge, Stanislaus County holds most of the top spots in all categories. For example, county schools have 17 of the top 20 spots for the number of student active days.

The 2010 challenge runs through May 31 and recipients of the fitness centers will be announced in September.

More than 1 million California students have signed up to participate in the 2010 Governor's Challenge. Gov. Schwarzenegger instituted the fitness challenge competition in 2006, encouraging participants to be active 30 to 60 minutes a day at least three days a week for a month.

More information on the Governor's Fitness Challenge, www.CalGovCouncil.org.