Cranbrook’s Mobility Enhancement Program is a positive example of what physical literacy can be to everyone in our community.

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The drop-in program at Western Financial Place (WFP), which runs from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on Mondays and Thursdays during the winter months, has had over a few hundred active participants partake in progressive activities around the arena concourse. The program is on the walls and can be completed by anyone when the concourse is open to the public for walking. During the 2 instructional sessions, a local Physiotherapy center provides 2 kinesiologists, and Active Cranbrook organizes additional volunteers, to assist individuals in remembering the exercises and encourage good form. The program is open to anyone looking to gain competence, confidence, and motivation or improve their agility, balance, coordination, flexibility, endurance, and strength.

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Active participants include seniors, people with mobility challenges or neurodegenerative diseases, as well as people recovering from physical and cognitive injuries.  The stations are also used by some high school teachers, and coaches of various local sports, as the stations can be altered to meet the needs of athletes.

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“I would describe it as the joy of movement, joy of movement together,” says John Mandryk, Organizer and Supporter of the Mobility Enhancement Program. “That’s what this is really about, participating with a group of like-minded folks that want to make life better for themselves and everybody else around them.”

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Metal signs are installed on the arena concourse at WFP, providing instructions at the different activity stations for the public. The program is currently being expanded (January 2025) to our neighboring community of Kimberley BC. QR codes will be placed on the signs in Cranbrook and Kimberley to give further instructions.

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The Mobility Enhancement Program is a collaboration of the City of Cranbrook and Active Cranbrook, with community support and partners included.