Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise today to speak about a new initiative in Yellowknife. I believe it is important to recognize businesses that contribute to better health in our community and last session I had indicated that Sutherland's drugstore had quit selling tobacco in their drugstore.

Today I wish to speak about Bellanca Developments, who have provided exercise equipment downstairs in the Scotia Centre to the tenants of their four buildings, namely the Precambrian Building, Scotia Centre, Bellanca Building and the Northwestel Building. Mr. Speaker, this area where the exercise equipment is, is where the YWCA was formerly housed and it moved last year. Obviously the tenants are sad to see the YWCA go, but Bellanca Developments conducted a survey to see if the tenants would use this available space if exercise equipment was provided. The reply was yes, so there has been equipment put into this area, namely three new treadmills as well as four bicycles. The intention, of course, is not to compete with local fitness facilities, but to provide a service to their tenants. The tenants can access this area from 7:30 in the morning to 9:00 pm and tenants provide a $25 deposit for an access card fee which is refundable when the tenant turns in their card. This has been in use since March 15th and already well over 100 people have signed up.

Mr. Speaker, studies in the south indicate that a lot of businesses do this now and it allows workers to relieve stress, so it turns out healthier workers and, in fact, better productivity to those businesses. The businesses and agencies in those four buildings, I would think would like to heartily thank Bellanca Developments and I am sure the Members here join me in applauding them in this new venture. Thank you.

--Applause