Sharpsburg student proposes workout stations at outdoor borough recreation sites

Sharpsburg native Domiana Costa believes her borough would be better off if more residents worked out and got healthier.

A fairly honest idea for a 10 year old.

The incoming Dorseyville Middle School sixth grader knew she had to find a way to achieve that goal.

Her inspiration came from what she saw on a family vacation in October to Hilton Head, S.C., and a later trip to California: an outdoor open gym with benches, weights, chin-up bars and more.

Domiana, whose favorite sports are hockey and tennis, made her outdoor fitness pitch at a council meeting July 25.

She brought out a laptop and talked about the benefits of working out, possible funding options and locations.

“It helps with stress, anxiety and depression,” Domiana said in her presentation. “Likewise, it encourages people to spend more time outside, which helps give a healthier lifestyle. … We need equipment, money, space and community support.”

Domiana said her research showed it would cost between $10,000 to $50,000 for the equipment. She hopes to cover the cost through donations, fundraisers and grants.

Possible places for the equipment include along the river walk, in borough parks or vacant land.

“Choosing a space is important because you want a space where the equipment could be utilized the most,” she told council. “Community support will help make this a possibility and help to create an all-inclusive community.”

Borough Manager Christine DeRunk lauded Domiana for her presentation and said the borough has a similar project already in the funding stages.

“I love seeing young people get involved in their community and participating in the governing process,” DeRunk said. “Her presentation was well researched and she clearly had prepared. We hope to see her on Junior Council someday.”

The project DeRunk referenced is for Heinz Memorial Field.

It involves various park improvements including installation of outdoor exercise equipment.

Sharpsburg applied for a $388,000 state grant through the Department of Community & Economic Development’s Local Share Account program to cover the cost.

There is a borough match of about $68,000.

DeRunk said the borough hopes to get approval from the state by the end of the year.

It was unclear whether Domiana would be able to help out with the project.

DeRunk said there are a lot of technical and logistical components that are best left to professionals.

“We rely a lot on our engineer on-site selection and things of that ilk,” DeRunk said. “Certainly, if there is a component that makes sense for the community to be a part of, then absolutely (Domiana can help). For engineering kind of things, we’re going to rely on professionals.”

Council and other meeting attendees gave Domiana a round of applause for her presentation.

Council President Adrianne Laing also thanked the young girl and spoke with the family after the meeting.

“I was a little nervous but just a little,” Domiana said about presenting her idea. “It was fun to do but hard to find all the information and everything.”

Family support

Domiana’s mother, Dana Costa, was at a loss for words while watching her daughter display her passion for fitness before borough officials.

She said Domiana had been working on the presentation for several months.

“She’s very athletic and she has a drive like I’ve never seen in a kid before,” Costa said.

“I’m not sure I can fully articulate the way it made me feel. I’m not sure there are words to express the emotions that I faced. One of our goals (was) to make her a strong, independent female and (find) a way to give back the community anyway that she can. For her to do that at 10, it definitely was more than any expectation I’ve ever set.”

Costa recalled how on vacation at Hilton Head, Domiana would ask every day to go to its outdoor gym.

The family also flew to California for a US Tennis Association competition in November. Dana and her husband, Dominic, are recreational players and participated in the tournament.

They also visited Muscle Beach in Venice, Calif. The renowned outdoor gym often is called the “Home of Bodybuilding” and has been featured in multiple documentaries.

Domiana asked her mom how great it would be if Sharpsburg had such a place.

“I told her, ‘The only way to make things like that happens is if you ask for it,’ ” Costa said. “It’s not going to happen if you don’t ask. … I explored what options we had and spoke with the local (officials) at the (borough) office. They told us to have her come to one of the meetings, and that’s what she did.”

Domiana said she hopes her vision will come true because it may help many families — and also for a more practical reason.

“I wanted to make it happen down here instead of having to travel to get to it,” she said.

Domiana encouraged other youths who are considering pitching ideas to help Sharpsburg to “just do it.”

Her outdoor gym plan has the support of many people, including recently appointed Mayor Kayla Portis.

“Domiana is so courageous for voicing her opinions and concerns at such a young age, and, hopefully, others will follow suit,” Portis said. “Like Christine, the borough manager, stated previously: There is grant money available. I think it’s great to promote healthy incentives such as exercise.”