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State-of-the-art outdoor fitness court coming to Ozona

OZONA, Texas — Crockett County, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas and National Fitness Campaign announced a partnership to bring an outdoor Fitness Court^® and digital wellness programming to J. Cleo Thompson Wellness Center. The Fitness Court at 103 Medical Drive will open 10:30 a.m. Dec. 4 with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. 

The Fitness Court was developed by Crockett County, BCBSTX and NFC to expand free and equitable access to high-quality workouts and exercise for communities across the region. The Fitness Court is the world’s best outdoor gym that lets users leverage their own body weight to get a complete workout at seven exercise stations. 

Created for people at least age 14 of all abilities, Fitness Court workouts can adapt to all fitness levels, allowing participants to move at their own pace. Users also may download the free Fitness Court app which works as a coach-in-your-pocket and enhances the outdoor gym into a digitally supported wellness experience. Crockett County is one of more than campaign partners building a network of Fitness Courts across the state with help from BCBSTX.

“This ribbon cutting represents what is possible when organizations partner together with a shared vision for health. With the support and guidance of Crockett County government leadership, the different sponsors, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas, and National Fitness Campaign, we are proud to bring this world class Fitness Court to our residents. This space will make wellness more accessible, encourage active lifestyles, and strengthen the well-being of our community for years to come. Thanks to the incredible collaboration we’re opening far more than a Fitness Court, we’re opening the door to healthier lives. This space empowers our residents to move, connect and thrive, and we’re excited to see the positive impact it will have on our community,” said Crockett County Judge Frank Tambunga.

“In addition to improvement in physical health, physical activity improves behavioral health conditions and can foster opportunities to make new social connections,” said BCBSTX Chief Medical Officer Dr. Mark Chassay. “About half of U.S. adults are not getting enough physical activity in their daily lives. Helping fund these Fitness Courts is just one example of how we can support optimal health outcomes for all Texans, right in their own communities.”

“We are excited to have J. Cleo Thompson Wellness Center 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 National Fitness Campaign 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 Crockett County community.”

Residents are invited to attend the launch event to try the Fitness Court. Visit J. Cleo Thompson Wellness Center on Facebook or call 325-392-4620/4619 for information. Visit the National Fitness Campaign website for more about BCBSTX’s support in Texas. 

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About J. Cleo Thompson Wellness Center
Opening in July of 2018, Crockett County’s first Wellness Center is moving right along! We are so pleased at how well the locals, surrounding area, and travelers have responded to the facility. J. Cleo Thompson Wellness Center has been a wonderful and much needed addition to our community. We are so excited to have the opportunity to continue to grow and expand in order to provide and reach such a variety of people of all ages and levels in their personal unique fitness journey. Anywhere from weight loss goals, marathon training, becoming your strongest as we age, to the most inspirational rehabilitation testimonies, this place has allowed there to be an option in our rural neighborhood when once before was not. 

About Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas
Celebrating 95 years of helping improve the health of Texans, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas — the only statewide, customer-owned health insurer in Texas — is the largest provider of health benefits in the state, working with more than 168,000 physicians and health care practitioners, and 550 hospitals to serve eight million members in all 254 counties. BCBSTX is a Division of Health Care Service Corporation (which operates Blue Cross and Blue Shield plans in Texas, Illinois, Montana, Oklahoma, and New Mexico). Health Care Service Corporation is 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 (NFC) 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 2025, 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

Crockett County
Stormi Oglesby
stormi.oglesby@co.crockett.tx.us

BCBSTX
Parris Kane
media@bcbstx.com

NFC
Sarah Morgan
sarah@nfchq.com