Deanna Price is Right: $8,000 Donation for Senior Center is ‘Big Thing’

In an ideal world, Deanna Price would work out almost every day. Whether it’s resistance training in her gym or running six times a week, the internist and soon-to-be-former president of the is big on fitness.

So it only makes sense that she pushed a grant request to Rotary District 5340 asking them to match the Club’s $4,000 donation to the city for an outdoor fitness park at the Adult Enrichment Center on La Mesa Boulevard.

“Bottom line, it’s a big deal for the Rotary and we get to help our community,”  Price said of the large sum. “On average, we usually spend a couple of hundred dollars for community projects, and [up to] $1,000 for charitable giving to a local organization that a Rotarian has a tie to.”  

Price heard about the idea for an outdoor fitness center  from Yvonne Garrett, the assistant city manager, and held two meetings with fellow Rotary board members to discuss the prospect. She says the vote to dedicate the full $8,000 toward the project was “pretty much unanimous.”

“I think it’s very poignant that they’re putting [the fitness park] at the Senior Center because it’s kind of bringing the message home that the equipment is for adults,” said Price, who’s observed many overweight parents sitting on benches at parks while their children are active on the play equipment.

“We’re going to put play equipment―we’ll call it exercise equipment―in the park for adults,” she said. “Exercise is proven to reduce disability and prolong independence.”

The groundbreaking ceremony and check presentation will take place at 2 p.m.  Wednesday, June 29, at the senior center. For more information or to RSVP, call 619-667-1300 or email commservices@ci.la-mesa.ca.us.