Despite failing to defend its national title, North Grenville has been crowned the most active community in the province of Ontario.
ParticipACTION, the organization that runs the annual “Community Better Challenge” contest to decide the most active community, announced North Grenville as the provincial winner Tuesday morning.
The challenge saw residents of communities across the country tracking all the time they spent exercising and doing other physical activity like gardening throughout the month of June, with the goal of logging as much activity as possible.
According to Mayor Nancy Peckford, North Grenville ranked first in Ontario for the entire month, and was also in the top two communities nationwide for the entire challenge.
“We knew the competition would be tough this year,” she says, “however, we have an incredibly active community and to have ranked first in Ontario for the entire month is a fantastic achievement.”
The win comes with $7,500 from ParticipACTION that Mayor Peckford says will go towards expanding outdoor recreation facilities in North Grenville.
“The Municipality is exploring the establishment of a recreation lending library to lower barriers to trying out new sports and activities,” she says. “Public consultation will occur in the fall.”
Peckford is also looking forward to next year’s challenge. “We will regain our national title again next year, I have no doubt.”