HEALTHY LIVING IN THE SUBURBS
DIVISION 5 INCLUDES CRANBROOK, KIRWAN AND THURINGOWA, THREE SUBURBS BATTLING WITH YOUTH AND PROPERTY CRIME. BUT RECENT EFFORTS APPEAR TO HAVE HAD SOME SUCCESS AS POLICE INCREASE THEIR FOCUS ON PROBLEMATIC GROUPS OF YOUTHS. AS SCOTT SAWYER REPORTS, THE DIVISION ALSO BOASTS FANTASTIC PUBLIC INFRASTRUCTURE, WITH LIBRARIES, PARKS AND TOP- NOTCH SPORTING FACILITIES.
ARISE in relocations and the pristine Riverway Stadium precinct is helping drive a thriving health and fitness economy in Kirwan and surrounds.
Residents of Division 5, including Kirwan, Cranbrook, Mount Louisa and Thuringowa Central, were taking to the precinct in droves and business has never been better for local gyms.
CrossFit Townsville owner Daniel Strickland, whose gym is on the border of Division 5 and 6, said the first six months of this year had been their busiest since they opened in 2010.
He believed that was being driven by new clients moving into the area as well as plenty of repeat customers among their membership base of more than 500 people.
“These are some of the busiest weeks we’ve ever had,” Mr Strickland said.
The Feel Good Foodie van owner Sally Vujica had established herself at the Riverway precinct of a morning from Tuesday to Friday as a substitute for the former cafe.
She said Thursdays and Fridays were extremely busy around the precinct as fitness fanatics flocked to the area in boot camps, group fitness classes and more.
Ms Vujica said there was “always” someone kicking a football on the pristine fields while plenty of mums and others took to the extensive walking paths.
A Townsville native, Ms Vujica said there was “nothing like this” when she was growing up.
She said the facilities were encouraging people in the area to become more active.
“It’s just a really beautiful facility,” Ms Vujica said.
She considered it still an underused spot and said the public pool remained a hidden gem for many.
“It’s a free facility,” Ms Vujica said.
Mr Strickland said the majority of his client base came from Kirwan and the fitness industry was competitive locally, with eight gyms in about a three kilometre radius of his centre.
He was working with Kirwan State High School students to help them get active, heading into the school twice a week.
His gym also enjoyed a small role with the school’s rugby league academy which he hoped would grow.
The gym has a range of junior programs from the age of four and above, including the rugby league- based youth development academy.
Mr Strickland said the academy generally ramped up around September and October, when the footy season finished, as young prospects used the off- season to improve strength and conditioning.
TOMORROW: Division 6 including Annandale, Condon and Riverside Gardens.