Albert Lea Community Education is looking for local business participation in an employer-covered workplace wellness initiative to benefit employees and their families.

Community Education is offering the program that allows employees and their families to use Brookside Boathouse and the rock wall gym at Brookside Education Center during open hours. The cost of the program is $50 for each employee, which would be covered by the employer.

According to Community Education Director Chris Chalmers, the program will improve productivity, lead to happier employees, build a sense of community, lower health care costs, improve employee physical fitness, reduce stress and lead to healthier habits and a sense of accomplishment.

“An employee does not live in a vacuum,” Chalmers said. “Their home environment impacts how they feel at work, how productive they are at work. And if their household is healthy and active and engaged, we feel they are going to be better, more productive employees.”

Interested businesses should contact Scott Hanna, rock gym coordinator.

“We can help worksite wellness coordinators plan events that cater to the needs of that employer,” Chalmers said.

Freeborn-Mower Cooperative Services was the lone business to participate in the program last year and planned four events, Chalmers said.

The Rock Gym is open from 6 to 9 p.m. Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays.

Any business interested in learning more about the program is advised to call Chalmers at 507-379-4834.

Chalmers hopes the initiative will increase the number of visitors to the boathouse this summer from 3,100 in 2016.

“The more people that are using our natural resources and what Albert Lea has to officer — to find out what a great place this is to live — it makes our community a better place,” he said.