Newsroom | 2026 News Releases

State-of-the-Art outdoor Fitness Court^® coming to Svarre Municipal Pool Park

SIDNEY, Montana — The city of Sidney, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Montana and National Fitness Campaign announced a partnership to bring an outdoor Fitness Court and digital wellness programming to Sidney. The Fitness Court at Svarre Municipal Pool Park will open 10 a.m. Sept. 3, 2026 with a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

The city developed the Fitness Courty with financial support from BCBSMT, Foundation for Community Care, Kraken Oil and Gas and NFC 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 people at least 14 years old of all abilities, 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. The City of Sidney is one of the first campaign partners building a network of Fitness Courts statewide with BCBSMT's help. 

“Bringing outdoor recreation facilities such as the NFC Fitness Court into our community gives people a reason to get outside, stay active and enjoy the great outdoors of eastern Montana," said Sidney Parks Superintendent Stephanie Ridl.

“Montanans have a deep appreciation for the outdoors and the role it plays in our well-being,” said BCBSMT President Lisa Kelley. “By bringing Fitness Courts to communities across the state, we're creating new ways for people to stay active, enjoy outdoor spaces and make healthy living part of their everyday lives.”

“We are excited to have the City of Sidney 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 Sidney community.”

Residents may attend the launch to try the Fitness Court. Visit the city of Sidney Facebook page or contact city park superintendent at 406.480.9263 for information. Visit nationalfitnesscampaign.com/montana for information about BCBSMT’s support of NFC.

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About City of Sidney
Sidney is a quaint, eastern Montana community located along the Yellowstone River, just under 10 miles west of North Dakota. Sidney’s population is approximately 6,031 and is fueled by agriculture and oil and gas production. Sidney is rich in culture and Montana history with a plethora of outdoor recreation adventures just outside your door. 

About Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Montana
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Montana is a division of Health Care Service Corporation, a Mutual Legal Reserve Company and Independent Licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. BCBSMT is the largest and longest-standing statewide, customer-owned health insurer and full-service health benefits administrator in Montana. BCBSMT has provided high-quality health insurance plans and administrative services to Montanans for more than 85 years and is committed to ensuring its members — no matter where they are on the health spectrum — achieve maximum health. 

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 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

SIDNEY PARKS
Stephanie Ridl
sidneycityparks@midrivers.com
406-480-9263

BCBSMT
Tamara Gibson
media@bcbsmt.com

NFC
Sarah Morgan
sarah@nfchq.com
831-601-2438