Kewanee Community School District, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois, and National Fitness Campaign Provide Free Fitness for Everyone in Kewanee
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Kewanee Community School District, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois and National Fitness Campaign Provide Free Fitness for Everyone in Kewanee
State-of-the-Art outdoor Fitness Court® coming to Kewanee High School
Aug. 21, 2026
KEWANEE, Illinois — Kewanee Community School District, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois and National Fitness Campaign announced a partnership to bring an outdoor Fitness Court and digital wellness programming to Kewanee High School. The Fitness Court at 1001 N Main St. will open 3 p.m. Aug. 24 with a ribbon-cutting ceremony
The school district, BCBSIL and NFC developed the Fitness Court to expand free access to high-quality workouts and create equitable access to exercise across the region. The Fitness Court is the world’s best outdoor gym where people use their body weight to get a complete workout using seven exercise stations
Created for those at least 14 years old of all abilities, the Fitness Court workouts are adaptable for all fitness levels, allowing participants to move at their own pace. Users also may download the free Fitness Court app, a coach-in-your-pocket that expands the outdoor gym into a digitally supported wellness experience. Kewanee High School is one of more than 30 campaign partners building a network of Fitness Courts with the help of BCBSIL statewide
The launch ceremony is part of a larger project that includes addition of six tennis courts at the David L. Sprague Tennis Center. Jeff Johnson, the district’s board president, and artist Sue Blake, a retired Kewanee High School art instructor, will speak at the ceremony. Blake’s butterfly mural is featured on the Fitness Court’s back wall. The Kewanee Community School District physical education department will demonstrate how to use the Fitness Court stations
“Regular exercise is essential to maintaining personal health and reducing health care costs,” said Katie Cangemi, BCBSIL’s senior program officer of community investment. “BCBSIL is committed to promoting better health in our communities, and this Fitness Court makes it easy for anyone at any fitness level to get a good outdoor workout, connect with neighbors and stay healthy.”
“We are excited to have Kewanee Community School District join us in the journey to improve health and wellness as we work to make a powerful and long-lasting impact on health outcomes and happiness by building healthy communities across America,’’ said NFC Founder Mitch Menaged. “The addition of the outdoor Fitness Court, along with digital wellness programming, demonstrates a tremendous commitment to the health and wellbeing within the Kewanee community.”
Residents may attend the launch and try the Fitness Court. Contact Kewanee Community School District at (309) 853-3341 for information. Visit nationalfitnesscampaign.com/Illinois for information about BCBSIL’s support of NFC
About Kewanee Community School District
Kewanee Community School District, in an active partnership with parents and community, will promote excellence in a caring environment in which all students learn and grow. This partnership aims to empower all students to develop strong self-respect and to become responsible learners and decision-makers. Kewanee Community School District is committed to developing and using a visionary and innovative curriculum, a knowledgeable and dedicated staff, and sound fiscal and management practices.
About Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois is the largest health insurer in Illinois, serving nine million members and operating in all 102 Illinois counties. BCBSIL is a division of Health Care Service Corporation, a Mutual Legal Reserve Company and an Independent Licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association
About National Fitness Campaign
Founded in San Francisco in 1979, National Fitness Campaign is a wellness consulting firm that provides programs and services to cities, schools and sponsors. Our mission is to build healthy communities nationwide. The campaign delivers an integrated wellness initiative, centered around the Fitness Court — the world’s best outdoor gym. National Fitness Campaign is preparing to welcome its 750th healthy community in 2026, as it continues to grow the country’s largest public-private partnership in support of wellness with the goal of building a Fitness Court within a 10-minute bike ride of every American.
Media Contacts
KEWANEE COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT
Rebecca Baneyrbaney@kcud229.org
BCBSIL
Tamara Gibsonmedia@bcbsil.com
NFC
Sarah Morgansarah@nfchq.com
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