News Release             For Immediate Release

January 17, 2005

Pedometers Available in Libraries

Through the cooperation of the Public Health Unit, the libraries of Grey and Bruce counties, and Grey Bruce Partners in Health, pedometers are now available for borrowing from your local library.  To help launch this new endeavour, local dignitaries are taking part by wearing a pedometer.  Medical Officer of Health Dr Hazel Lynn, Grey County Warden Dave Fawcett, Bruce County Warden Mark Kramer, Owen Sound Mayor Ruth Lovell, and Director of Bruce County Public Library Marzio Apolloni are all ‘watching their steps’ or at least counting them.  Each has agreed to wear a pedometer and Get Active…One Step at a Time.

Public health nurse and physical activity promoter Karen Croker is very excited about this new program.  “I think it is wonderful that all 30 of the Grey and Bruce libraries have partnered with Public Health to help increase the physical activity awareness of residents.  The libraries were keen to get involved.  I am very excited about this program and I believe that it will be highly successful.  People are usually quite surprised to see that they are not as physically active as they think they are – the pedometers will give them this information immediately.”

The pedometer is a simple device that is easy to operate.  It is widely promoted as a motivational tool to encourage walking.

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Attachments:

Fact Sheet - Pedometers

For more information:

Karen Croker, Public Health Nurse

Grey Bruce Health Unit

376-9420 or 1-800-263-3456