McKinney Mayor Brian Loughmiller together with the McKinney Independent School District (MISD), Cooper Fitness Center and Baylor Medical Center at McKinney announces the launch of a new healthy initiative called the Mayor’s Health Partnership. This citywide program has a mission “to promote a healthy, active community.” Health- and fitness-based events and programs, most of them at little or no cost to participants, will be available throughout the year.
The first program is the Live Healthy Texas Challenge, a 10-week team competition that encourages increased activity of any level or weight loss, or both. Events continue throughout the year and include the For Women, For Life event at Baylor McKinney, free access to Cooper Fitness Center for McKinney residents throughout May, and a new community event called Catch the Fun presented by MISD on May 3. Events, health and fitness tips, and program information will be posted on the city’s website, www.mckinneytexas.org/mhp and later on a Facebook page for the Mayor’s Health Partnership.
“I appreciate the support and participation of our corporate partners including Cooper Fitness Center in McKinney and Baylor Medical Center at McKinney as the City of McKinney and the McKinney Independent School District develop a public/private partnership promoting healthy habits and a healthy and active lifestyle. Promoting a healthy community not only benefits our citizens by improving the quality of life and place, but we hope this program will also serve to attract companies seeking to relocate in areas where healthy lifestyles are part of the fabric of the community,” said Mayor Loughmiller.
The coalition grew out of the May Get Fit Month initiated by Mayor Loughmiller in 2010. During the Mayor’s Get Fit Month in May 2010, McKinney residents logged more than 750 hours of activity online at the city website. May 2010 was also the first year for Bike the Bricks, a criterium bike race held in Historic Downtown McKinney. The city partnered with McKinney ISD and several non-profits to expand up on the Get Fit Month concept for the McKinney Health Challenge in 2011, a community-wide partnership taking place over a two-month period and featuring eight events.
“For years, MISD has been increasing innovative programs for better wellness across our campuses for students and staff. I’m proud of the strong commitment toward wellness, health and fitness both in the district and throughout the city,” said MISD Superintendent Dr. J.D. Kennedy.
McKinney ISD has more schools recognized as Healthy Zone Schools or Health Zone Schools in Training in the Metroplex, awarded by the United Way of Metropolitan Dallas and the Cooper Institute in Dallas. The Cooper Fitness Center at Craig Ranch has been leading the way for fitness in McKinney since it opened in 2006. Cooper Fitness Center opened its doors to McKinney residents during May for the past two years.
“Cooper Fitness Center is dedicated to helping McKinney residents reach their fitness goals, whatever they are. If they are just starting out or are a long-time athlete, we want to help everyone in McKinney reach and maintain their best fitness levels for overall health. We at Cooper McKinney are excited about the opportunity to further this vision through the Mayor’s Health Partnership,” said General Manager Roger Sargent.
City of McKinney employees have participated in the Live Health Texas Challenge program for five years, and in 2010, city employees won an award as the Healthiest City in North Texas. The Live Healthy Texas Challenge provides an online platform for residents to form teams and track physical activity, weight loss or both. Citizens were invited to join city employees in 2012, and more than 450 participated and logged more than 2 million minutes of activity. Cooper Fitness at Craig Ranch will be providing free basic health assessments before and after the Live Health Texas challenge this year.
Baylor Medical Center at McKinney opened in June 30, 2012, with a pledge to build a stronger, healthier community. The 95-bed hospital is part of the Baylor Health System, named the Healthiest Employer in the Dallas. Baylor McKinney provides free, educational events and seminars for McKinney residents throughout the year.
“Since before we opened, Baylor McKinney has been setting down roots in our community. We are proud to be part of the Mayor’s Health Partnership to support the health of the entire community as we work to become not only one of the best places to live, but one of the healthiest,” said President of Baylor Medical Center at McKinney.
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