HCC President Ervin V. Griffin Sr. said, “This is great day for the citizens of the Roanoke Valley region. Although the FIT is housed here at Halifax Community College, we want you to know that the FIT is open to everyone to use.”

Griffin thanked the Kate B. Reynolds Charitable Trust for providing the $150,000 grant that has funded the majority of the project. “To make these kinds of activities successful, it takes partnerships.So, HCC is also providing institutional dollars to help fund the trail and to demonstrate our commitment to supporting healthier living in the Roanoke Valley.”

The FIT project is designed to improve the lives of community members, offering full access to a 1/6 mile trail and a fitness area. It features multigenerational equipment and solar lights to provide lighting so that the FIT is available for exercise well into the evening hours.

There is no charge to use the FIT.

Griffin also recognized community partners who have made the project a reality.

Audrey Hardy represents the Roanoke Valley Community Health Initiative and commented, “We are so happy to have this trail here. One of the things that the Community Health Initiative focuses on is trying to improve our health outcomes for the Roanoke Valley. One of the ways to do that is to decrease some of the illnesses that we see at Halifax Regional by changing what we eat and moving a little more. This trail will help us to be able to do that. The other thing that we encourage is selecting healthy options for eating.”

The initiative sponsored fruit that was given away during the event. “The Roanoke Valley Fitness Interactive Trail is an additional outlet in our community for our students, for employees and our citizens to live an active life,” said Cardra Burns, Halifax County Public Health system director. “Everything we do is possible only when we’re healthy.”

Roanoke Valley Early College student Jahlaun Ceasar was the winner of the FIT logo competition. His design was chosen out of 26 entries.