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The Eden Fitness Trail is nearing completion, with installation in progress and an official opening scheduled for Saturday, October 31.
The outdoor gym hub linked by an existing pathway to three single stretch stations forms a trail overlooking the coastline.
Campaigner for the trail Cherie Mercado said the fitness trail group was very excited to be at this point after years of hard work.
"We first got together and formed the group four or five years ago at a meeting at the top pub... we had a vision," she said.
"We became a cohesive, defined group about two years ago - myself together with Fiona Campbell, Joy Robin and Tatiana Pajo - and started having regular meetings and getting serious.
"We commenced fundraising, got a club grant, and held an amazing cake stall which alone raised $1000 - this community has some excellent cake bakers!" Ms Mercado said with a laugh.
"We thought, 'wow, everyone believes in this!' It was a great morale boost."
A $120,000 grant was secured in September 2019 in partnership with BVSC as part of the NSW government My Community Project grants program.
"Council supported us all the way and we were up against a lot of other projects across two shires," Ms Mercado said.
"Since we got that grant, we have had a lot of meetings with them and they put tenders out for the equipment supplier and did the evaluation of those tenders, for which A_Space were successful.
"We looked at how much money would be left in the budget after equipment and installation, to prepare the sites.
"Robert Horton from Bellbird Concreting, Billy Michelin from Michelin and Sons and concreter Todd Bolton came on board to help with excavation and site preparation, a very involved contract, they had to prepare flat sites compliant with A_Space.
"The project has been very well supported by this community, we wouldn't have got that grant if so many people had not voted for it over many other worthy projects in various towns," Ms Mercado said.
"When interacting with people they show their enthusiasm, the response has been so positive.
"It swells my heart, I love this community. I just feel they've been knocked around but have an inner strength, when the chips are down they get up. It's a special place and a special community."
Official opening of the Eden Fitness Trail will take place at 10.30am on Saturday October 31 with a welcome to country by Ossie Cruse, and speeches from John Turville, Cherie Mercado and Russell Fitzpatrick.
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Leah Szanto
Regional journalist covering the Far South Coast of NSW.
Regional journalist covering the Far South Coast of NSW.
