Situation
Students, families, and surrounding community members in the Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS) district lacked safe, affordable, and inclusive fitness opportunities to improve their physical and mental health.
“Our district is primarily of low socioeconomic status. Studies show that [economically challenged] districts and families struggle with their personal health,” shared Carlos Rodriguez, Phy. Ed/Health Curriculum Specialist at Milwaukee Public Schools. “Many of them don’t have access to a safe place to be active with their children or the funds to join a gym. They don’t have the resources to pay for gym memberships or enroll their kids in after-school and summer camps.”
Benefits
- Outdoor-Fit equipment is designed specifically for outdoor use at schools, parks, and community spaces.
- Spartan Multigyms are injury-resistant, ideal for schools and growing adolescents.
- With a durable, indestructible design, the gyms are built for long-term use.
- The equipment’s compact size allows for flexible placement, such as near existing schoolyards.
- Health and PE teachers can align the use of this equipment to state and national standards.
Simplified procurement delivers exceptional results
To overcome fitness accessibility challenges, Rodriguez and district leaders partnered with Outdoor-Fit and Sourcewell. Through Sourcewell’s compliant, ready-to-use contracts, MPS streamlined their purchasing process – saving the district time and resources while fully satisfying public purchasing requirements.
“When expenses and purchases of this large magnitude are done by the district, several quotes and board meetings have to be completed and performed,” shared Rodriguez. “With Outdoor-Fit having the Sourcewell agreement, it eliminated several steps in the purchasing process making it more convenient for the district.”
The new fitness equipment not only meets the needs of students and families today but is also built to withstand years of heavy use for long-term value.