From left, Amanda McKenzie, Heather Bouffard, Kevin Lewis, Christine Wilson, Alison Thayer, and Joseph McDonnell present the ribbon cutting for the new outdoor fitness court on Friday, Sept. 6, at UMF in Farmington. Leo Goddard/Franklin Journal

FARMINGTON – The new free fitness court at the University of Maine at Farmington [UMF] was officially opened on Friday, Sept. 6, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. The ceremony kicked off with speaker Alison Thayer, UMF associate director of Fitness and Recreation, who introduced the court as a tool that will hopefully “break down barriers.” She said it will help the community save money and live longer lives.

UMF President Joseph McDonnell spoke next, saying that UMF wants to promote lifelong learning, but also lifelong wellness between students and the community. He said that western Maine is a great place to get outdoors, a mission that UMF’s outdoor excursion and equipment rental program, Mainely Outdoors, has been executing since 2010, and that the new outdoor court will further promote that. Vice President of Marketing and Communications at CHO Heather Bouffard said that the fitness court is a great way to train for outdoor activities like hiking trips because the exercises are all reliant on body weight.

From left, Amanda McKenzie, Heather Bouffard, Kevin Lewis, Christine Wilson, Alison Thayer, and Joseph McDonnell celebrate the ribbon-cutting for the new outdoor fitness court on Friday, Sept. 6, at UMF in Farmington. Leo Goddard/Franklin Journal

Bouffard also said that part of the fitness courts’ success relies on the help of brand ambassadors and collaboration with local fitness centers to spread enthusiasm and hold classes.

Kevin Lewis, the president and CEO of Community Health Options [CHO], expressed the importance of the collaboration between UMF, CHO, and National Fitness Campaign for this project. He said that UMF was a perfect location for the court due to its walkability, the population, and its placement close to a fitness center.

UMF Fitness Instructor Michael Colella demonstrates using rings for a pushup exercise on Friday, Sept. 6, at the outdoor fitness court at UMF in Farmington. Leo Goddard/Franklin Journal

Bouffard said that members of CHO are always wondering how they can help their neighbors. “We truly care about our community,” she said. “Because we live in it.”

Student Ambassador Kevin Sweeney said that not only will the fitness court bring the university and town together, but that the free fitness app can connect Farmington and the entire nation.

UMF students demonstrate ways to use the new outdoor fitness court on Friday, Sept. 6, at UMF in Farmington. Leo Goddard/Franklin Journal

After the ribbon was cut and the fitness court was officially open for use, UMF Fitness Instructor Michael Colella and a group of his students did a live demonstration of some of the possible ways to use the fitness court. They were the first official users of the new free court, hopefully encouraging any interested community members to try it out.

UMF students demonstrate ways to use the new outdoor fitness court on Friday, Sept. 6, at UMF in Farmington. Leo Goddard/Franklin Journal