Richard Froese
South Peace News

Local businesses and employers are encouraged to promote healthy staff during Workplace Wellness Month in October.

High Prairie and District Regional Recreation Board and Alberta Health Services health promotions have partnered to host several events to raise the level of physical fitness.

“It is our hope to increase usage of local facilities and recreation programs and increase wellness in the community and promote health and wellness,” AHS public health promotions facilitator Colette Elko and recreation board programming co-ord- inator Gayla Arams state in a letter.

Both the Town of High Prairie and Big Lakes County have declared October as Workplace Wellness Month.

Activities and events for the month-long Workplace Wellness Challenge will be launched Oct. 4 at noon at the Gordon Buchanan Recreation Centre in the performing arts centre.

Throughout the month, wellness workshops and physical activities have been scheduled for employees and other citizens.

“These activities are great ways to encourage team building, camaraderie and education among your employees, so get them involved,” Elko and Arams say.

Organizers plan to make this an annual campaign.

“Employee wellness programs have become a staple in many businesses as a way to attract top talent, keep them happy,” states an information sheet.

Studies show having physically active employees has significant positive effects in the company.

Please call the recreation office at [780] 523-3988 for more information.