Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday before 10am the Fernie Family Centre is a tranquil environment, but that changes rapidly. By 10am parents and their children fill the wide space of the gym and tranquility is transformed into the sounds of laughter and play. These amusing and popular hour-long sessions are known as Kindergym, a program widely used by families in Fernie. What many may not know is that Kindergym began with the inspiration of Joan Delich and Pat Proudfoot in the fall of 1984, 25 years ago.

“Joan and I had young children at the time and were looking for creative ways to encourage and challenge physical growth and development in their formative years. After Joan shared her ideas about possibly starting a pre-school gym program I was eager to get involved. Soon she and I were off to a workshop she’d heard about in Vancouver about pre-school gym programs. We came home with much enthusiasm, gathered a few more people to get involved, approached businesses for funding, and Kindergym began,” Pat remembers.

From the beginning Kindergym has been a place for children to play, foster creativity, independence and self-confidence, and nurture a love and desire for physical activity. Joan and Pat utilized music and a variety of equipment and toys to allow children to explore creative ways to use and move their bodies.

“We wanted to encourage a love for physical activity, coordination, body awareness, rhythm and creative dance,” says Pat.

After the Kindergym program had run its first successful two years, Joan was tragically taken in a car accident.

“Joan was an amazing woman full of vision, life and enthusiasm. She was loved and deeply missed by so many. At her funeral her husband Mike encouraged people not to send flowers but to give a donation to the Kindergym program. Money came in from all over the world from people that knew and loved her. I can’t recall exactly how much money came in but we had enough to buy a substantial amount of equipment and enough to bring a pre-school gym workshop to Fernie where quite a number of moms could be inspired and learn ways they could be involved with their children in the Kindergym program,” Pat recalls.

23 years after the loss of Joan her vision continues to grow. Kindergym persists as an integral part of many family’s lives in Fernie. It’s a time for children and parents to play and learn together. I actually had the opportunity of attending Kindergym as a child, and had forgotten its existence until a recent interview with Paul Attalla. Being the busy dad he is, I had to track him down at Kindergym. It was difficult to concentrate as we were continually enthralled with what the children were doing, laughing alongside them. It seemed to be a power hour of sorts. A way for kids to let out all that energy they so easily can explore during the longer days of summer, a time of the year more conducive to activity and interaction.

“I think what made the Kindergym program so special, at least in the years I was involved, was the fact that it was mothers/parents working together and with their children to create an inspiring gym program for children that kept them active during the long winter months,” says Pat.

With its 25 year celebration, Kindergym is offering a registration bonus. Receive two free coupons for a drop in with every fall registration. Kindergym is available for children ages one through five, just $6/child. You can sign up during class or call Heather at 250-423-3791. Siblings under the age of one are welcome to join for free.