Mayor Ron Nirenberg Leads Fitness Council Meeting

Mayor Ron Nirenberg addresses the Fitness Council on Thursday
(photo by Sophie Dwyer)

By Sophie Dwyer

San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg attended the Fitness Council meeting on Thursday in Trinity University’s William H. Bell Center.

He met with around 40 representatives from various foundations, fitness organizations, and companies, as well as dieticians, wellness coordinators, health app creators, and disability advocates. The discussion centered on ways of improving wellness services in the city, including physical activity, nutrition, and mental health.

“We should be talking policy-healthy policy,” Nirenberg said at the meeting. Attendees talked about various wellness initiatives such as introducing workplace recess, policies on purchasing healthy foods for employees, and making outdoor spaces safer so people feel more comfortable being active.

There was even a suggestion of a city-wide soda ban, to which the mayor said, “I’ll just be candid: even if we wanted to ban sodas, I don’t see that surviving this legislature.” He added that he has been working closely on a Food Pantry partnership with public schools, where students learn how to choose and prepare healthy foods.

Given the wide range of companies represented at the meeting, from the Parks Department to Natural Grocers, the discussion covered many different angles of health. “These people are people who are the go-to people for something, so many different links here,” said Bert Pickell, a veteran and fitness walking coach.

Trinity University Wellness Coordinator Katherine Hewitt is a member of the Fitness Council, which normally meets once a month. The mayor is not usually present, but made a special appearance on Thursday.

The council mainly focuses on “recreation, and fitness and wellness opportunities, and how to access those in the city,” as well as “ways for people to get out and be active,” said Hewitt.

Thursday's meeting also discussed several upcoming events such as Fest of Tails, Siclovia, and a Ride for Reading event for elementary schools.