Friday, April 7, 2017 (Halifax, NS) – A pilot program designed to encourage healthy, active living by providing Sackville Public Library users with access to free Sackville Sports Stadium passes went swimmingly, and has now been extended until March 31, 2018. Supported by Thrive Nova Scotia, the Membership Loan pilot program was initiated to reduce barriers and increase access to Sackville Sports Stadium programs and services by providing a free trial for interested residents. The pilot program was implemented from Jan. 1 to Mar. 31, 2017, and enabled residents with a library card to try a variety of programs and services at the Sackville Sports Stadium by signing out a free, two-week pass. The passes were valid for unlimited individual or family access to the Sackville Sports Stadium fitness centre, group exercise classes, public swims and skates for a two-week consecutive period. Over the course of the three-month pilot program, 89 passes were signed out by library users, with an additional 167 requests on the wait list at the end of the pilot time frame. The Sackville Public Library also reported an uptick in new and renewed library cards during the same timeframe. Upon evaluating the results of the pilot program, the municipality decided to extend the program as part of a continued effort to increase access to healthy, active living options for residents. For more information on how to sign out the passes, visit www.halifaxpubliclibraries.ca. For information on the programs and services offered at the Sackville Sports Stadium, visit www.sackvillesportsstadium.ca. Source: Release