West Hants summer recreation facilitators Zoey Russell, left, and Brielynn Murrant display some of the equipment that is available as a free rental for residents. In the summertime, the municipality loans out such items as kayaks, stand-up paddleboards, walking poles, bicycles, and yard games, like washer toss and cornhole. A complete list of what’s available, as well as the rental request form, is available through the municipality’s online loan platform. Photo by Carole Morris-UnderhillArticle contentWest Hants’ passion for getting its residents active has led to the municipality being awarded Nova Scotia’s ParticipACTION Community Challenge award.THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY.Subscribe now to access this story and more:Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsSUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES.Subscribe or sign in to your account to continue your reading experience.Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsRegister to unlock more articles.Create an account or sign in to continue your reading experience.Access additional stories every monthShare your thoughts and join the conversation in our commenting communityGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorArticle contentThroughout the month of June, more than 385 communities across Canada competed to see which one could log the most amount of sport and physical activity.Article contentArticle contentQuébec City was named Canada’s Most Active Community, earning the $100,000 grand prize. The city delivered more than 600 physical activity and sport programs and events in June.Article contentArticle contentThe top community in each province and territory was then selected and received between $5,000 and $10,000 in funding. Out of 14 Nova Scotian communities that took part, West Hants Regional Municipality won the challenge and $10,000 to go towards a special project.Article content“It was really exciting,” Mayor Abraham Zebian said. “It was our first time entering the ParticipACTION challenge.”Article contentZebian credits active living co-ordinator Brielle Pyette, as well as the community development department’s director and manager for supporting her, for the municipality’s win.Article content“She’s a new member to our team and she’s full of pizazz and energy and she was the champion of this challenge,” Zebian said, noting the municipality didn’t have much time to plan for the event.Article contentHe said it was amazing to see how the community pulled together to help log activities to give the municipality the edge in the competition. From pickleballers to joggers to baseball players, every activity they did helped.Article contentArticle content“It was truly a community effort,” he said.Article contentArticle contentDiana Dampier, the senior director of partnerships and development at ParticipACTION, has been involved with the June challenge since its inception in 2019. She praised West Hants’ effort.Article content“West Hants did an amazing job this year,” Dampier said. “They rallied 16 different organizations across their community and seven active groups, and together, they hosted over a thousand activities, programs, and events across the community.”Article contentShe said West Hants managed to get people participating across all ages and abilities.Article content“They did a lot of different amazing programs and events. Everything from chair yoga to try-it kayak to lifeguard training, and tennis and sport tournaments,” she said. “So they really rallied everybody that they could and had a great result.”Article contentThe aim of the annual challenge, presented by Novo Nordisk, is simple: get people moving.Article content“It was incredible to see 2,200 organizations and active groups host more than 13,000 low-barrier, inclusive activities during the community challenge,” Brian Torrance, president and CEO of ParticipACTION, said in a news release.
West Hants named most active community in Nova Scotia in 2026
