A first-of-its-kind calisthenics park is set to be installed at the Seven Mile Public Beach, along West Bay Road, by February 2022.
The groundbreaking ceremony for the new fitness park, was held on Saturday 4 Dec. In attendance were dignitaries including Governor Martyn Roper, Government ministers, Jay Ebanks, André Ebanks, Sabrina Turner, Bernie Bush and Parliamentary Secretary Katherine Ebanks-Wilks, along with a host of chief officers and other senior government officials.
Also in attendance was local businessman and philanthropist Phillip Schlossstein, who donated the equipment and will be funding the construction and installation costs of the project.
“This is the first calisthenics park in Cayman, and we are really happy about being able to bring something like this to the people of this country,” Schlossstein told the Cayman Compass.
Schlossstien, who is originally from Detmold, Germany, moved to Cayman in 2015. Since then, he said he has “fallen in love with the country and the people of Cayman”, who’ve welcomed him warmly.
“I donated a similar park in my home-town, but the one we are planning for Cayman will be a much larger and better park with stronger and better equipment to so as to hold up against the salt air,” he said.
Calisthenics is a type of strength-training; the oval-shaped park will comprise several metal beams, bars and poles, as well as a rubberised foundation to help cushion people who fall.
“The beauty of this park is that it does not require any special clothing or membership,” said Schlossstein. “It is free for the public… and once complete we will hold monthly fitness programmes and classes to help foster a community of health and wellness in the area”.
“In this pandemic, when we have all gone through really difficult times, it is wonderful to have something like this,” said Governor Roper.
Education Minister Juliana O’Connor-Connolly, who was not able to attend the ceremony submitted a speech in advance. In her remarks she commended Schlossstein for his willingness to give back to the community.
“I have since learned that calisthenics is a part of a broader street workout category, which has world championships,” reads O’Connor-Connolly’s statement. “I thank Mr Schlossstein for his generosity and the opportunity he has provided for Caymanian athletes to be able to practice and indeed, hopefully, one day represent these islands in such competitions.”
Once the Seven Mile Public Beach park has been installed, Schlossstein said it will be monitored for a period of time, and once they have addressed any potential weaknesses, another park will be installed on Cayman Brac.
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