"MBCI Fitness Zone: Stronger Together, Healthier Forever" is the motto as the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians unveils its first outdoor fitness centers called the “Fitness Zone” within the tribal communities on April 8, 2025. The genesis of the Choctaw Health Center initiative was a pilot project born out of the need to keep a tribal community healthy during the initial onset of COVID-19 pandemic through prevention services and healthcare treatment. During the global pandemic, fitness gyms across the country closed their doors to adhere to infection prevention precautions. While doing so, accessibility gym equipment was constraint to provide a means to maintain a healthy active lifestyle for all communities.
Tribal Chief and Health Board Chairman of CHC, Cyrus Ben, committed his vision to continue access to healthcare and its resources during COVID-19. “The outdoors fitness equipment was a great way to minimize exposure to COVID-19. And the idea came at a time when the vitality of my community members was paramount with access to healthcare services and treatment during the peak years of the pandemic were constrained and resources limited. There was also a need to have a thriving and healthy community through health prevention activities, such as having access to active lifestyle. The outdoor fitness zone is one of those avenues that will provide access to gym type equipment for community members to stay active. The fitness zones will be placed in each of the tribal communities.”
The second term and the youngest Tribal Chief of the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians commended the healthcare team efforts and pilot project sponsor, Choctaw Health Center, for conceptualizing and fulfilling a multi-year pilot project, “I commend the healthcare team for their commitment from being the at forefront of providing healthcare during the pandemic and to the future planning as well. It is all about the tribal people to be healthy and thrive for generations to come.” stated Chief Ben.
“We have collaborated with our health board leadership several years ago and brought forward a vision to reality. The pilot community of Standing Pine was a team project. The community leaders had great input into the design aspect that will be replicated throughout the 8 remaining tribal communities,” stated Mary Harrison, Interim Health Director, of Choctaw Health Center. She further stated, “There were many talented individuals who cared about the project that assessed the needs of the community from picking out the style of fitness equipment, to layout and location. The equipment is designed for families, from youth to elders, including those with disabilities. Each community is equipped with a solar powered outlet to charge electronic devices. We are certainly proud to be the project sponsor and thankful to the health board, Tribal Council, and Chief Ben for the vision and support.”
The Fitness Zone is equipped with 20 fitness stations, a solar powered outlet, and an awning. Each fitness station has workout instructions on the equipment or via a QR code. The Choctaw Health Center fitness zone project was funded through the American Rescue Plan Act. The approximate cost of the Standing Pine Fitness Zone Project was $450k with a project completion time of 6 months. The next scheduled roll out in the tribal communities are Bogue Chitto, Tucker, Conehatta, and Pearl River with completion in early to mid-2025. Followed by Crystal Ridge, Bogue Homa, Red Water, and Henning, Tennessee with completion in latter part of 2025. Each tribal community recreation program will oversee the fitness zone