Let’s get Sarnia moving for the ParticipACTION Community Better Challenge, a national physical activity initiative that encourages Canadians to get active in search of Canada’s Most Active Community.
In 2022 Sarnia placed fifth in Ontario out of 362 communities. In 2023 we’re aiming for the number one spot! There are plenty of ways to stay active, it could be as simple as doing groceries, or tending the garden, a round of golf with friends, a short walk, or a run. As long as you are moving you can track your minutes and help make Sarnia Canada’s most active community.
Learn more about how to participate; our kick-off event; and our Community Challenge Try it Tuesday series.
The Challenge is open to everyone and requires tracking of physical activity minutes during the month of June. All of these minutes will count toward a community’s total score. After June 30, the 50 communities with the highest number of minutes tracked per capita will be invited to submit an application explaining why they deserve to be Canada’s Most Active Community. The chosen municipality will be awarded $100,000 to support local physical activity initiatives.
How to participate
You can participate as an individual or as a group / organization.
Participate as an individual
Download the ParticipACTION App to track your minutes as an individual. Be sure to enter your correct postal code so your minutes count toward the Sarnia community total. From there just enter your activity minutes during the month of June to help make Sarnia the most active community.
You can learn more and download the app by visiting the ParticipACTION website.
Don’t forget to check out some of the Community Challenge recreation activities at the Strangway Centre to get started.
Participate as an organization
Organizations can register on the ParticipACTION website, and track their physical activity minutes starting June 1 (i.e., school gym classes, group fitness, soccer practice, etc.).
Organizations, schools, sport groups, recreation centres and workplaces can participate in the challenge by tracking the group activities they organize like in-person or virtual group exercise classes, practices, events or even lunchtime walks on the Community Better Challenge website from June 1 to 30. All tracked group physical activity counts.
Youth participants
Participants must be at least 17 years of age to create a ParticipACTION app profile and log minutes toward our community’s total in the Community Better Challenge. On the Community Challenge website, users must be 17 years of age to track their own minutes.
Parents and caregivers can track on behalf of their dependents and group instructors, teachers and coaches can track for users under 17 when tracking for a group or organization.
Community Challenge kick off, June 1
To get the community moving, we’re hosting a kick off event on June 1 at the Strangway Centre. We’ll have a desk set up all day, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., to provide information on the challenge, and help residents who bring in their devices to set up the app.
There will also be the chance to try some activities free of charge (registration required):
- Free group fitness class (pre-registration required): 10 a.m. outside the Strangway Centre (west side), weather permitting, please bring an exercise mat
- Free gentle group fitness class (pre-registration required): 10:45 a.m. outside the Strangway Centre (west side), weather permitting
- Free Stretch, Balance and Walk with Nordic Poles (pre-registration required): 11:30 a.m. outside the Strangway Centre (west side), weather permitting
To register, search ‘Community Challenge Kick Off’ on our online recreation registration portal.
Try it Tuesdays
Looking for a new way to get active? Try select fitness classes free of charge at the Strangway Centre gymnasium on Tuesdays in June. We have a full line up to try, don’t forget to track your minutes!
All Try it Tuesday activities are free, pre-registration is required.
To register, search ‘Try it Tuesday’ on our online recreation registration portal.
Try it Tuesday activities
| Activity | Date | Time |
| Tai Chi | June 6 | 11:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. |
| Funfit – group exercise | June 13 | 11:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. |
| Flow Yoga | June 20 | 2 to 3 p.m. |
| Aging Backwards – gentle group exercise | June 27 | 11:15 a.m. to noon |
If you and organization are interested in partnering with the City of Sarnia on any physical activity initiatives, please contact parksandrecreation@sarnia.ca.