(Submitted/Warrior Spirit Kickboxing and MMA)

By Nicole Reis

COMMUNITY FITNESS

First Nation MMA pro looks forward to training youth outdoors

May 28, 2020 | 1:45 PM

Professional MMA fighter Stuart “The Insane” Fontaine’s boxing gym in Loon Lake is slated to open on June 8 amid Saskatchewan’s re-open plan but with temporary restrictions of access from the public due to COVID-19. The pro fighter is examining ways to teach youth to fight outside in the spring and summer months.

Fontaine told meadowlakeNOW his Warrior Spirit Kickboxing and MMA studio is currently located in the Makwa Sahgaiehcan band office since September 2019 as a service through Jordan’s Principle programing. With checkpoints currently in place, the space will be limited the First Nation residence and operation is pending leadership approval.

“It’s a little different here because [the First Nation] has security in place, so no one is allowed in unless you’re a band member,” he said.

Jordan’s Principle is a government service and a child-first principle meant to prevent First Nations children from being denied essential public services or experiencing delays in receiving them. Fontaine moved his fitness facility to the First Nation to work closely with youth after the community recently experienced a state of emergency late last year.

Fontaine typically travels to various communities in Saskatchewan and Alberta to teach classes and is encouraging communities he visits to prepare outdoor exercise options.

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“Right now, I’m pushing for outdoor [kickboxing],” he said. “If and when we start, I’ll still have to [get approval].”

Excitement is ramping up in the community as kickboxing activities are scheduled to resume. Fontaine said he plans to begin with training his competitive youth fighters first and additional youth classes to follow.

His facility had a stringent cleaning policy in place before the pandemic struck to avoid ringworm and staph infections. If someone does become infected with such conditions, typically they are unable to train for a month though Fontaine said he is in the process of disinfecting the entire facility as a precaution.

As the province has imposed restrictions on fitness facilities reopening, Fontaine is still working out details for spacing but he said masks are a pointless endeavor when engaging in strenuous activity. He said planning is still underway.

Fontaine recently purchased a former grocery store building on Main Street in Loon Lake and plans to open doors in early Fall but will train at the band office in the meantime.

According to the province’s Phase Three re-open plan concerning fitness facilities, a number of guidelines have been put in place including physical distancing measures, cleaning and disinfection protocols and recommendations for facility staff.

With files from CKOM

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nicole.reis@jpbg.ca

Twitter: @nicolereis7722