The road to Wellville may soon pass through Greater Victoria's municipal recreation centres.

The region is acting as a testbed for a new B.C. Ministry of Health project that aims to help prevent some chronic illnesses - such as type two diabetes and heart disease - by getting doctors to refer patients to local recreation centres for exercise programs and nutrition counselling.

"The program isn't aimed at people who are already fit, this is aimed at the people who don't know what's out there so they can get exercise into their life and help prevent lifestyle diseases such as (adult-onset) diabetes and heart disease that can be avoided with exercise, or at least (have) the risk reduced," said Grant Brown, sports co-ordinator for Oak Bay recreation and chair of the Greater Victoria Active Communities.

GVAC is working with the province to trial the program, called ActNowBC Prescription for Health.

The idea is simple, Brown said. Doctors are being sent information about the program and invited in to see what the region's rec centres and Y's - all are participating - have to offer their patients.

Doctors can then refer patients, complete with passes for a free introductory and goal-setting session and a free nutrition seminar.

For patients who are interested in getting a start through the program, Brown said talk to your doctor. Doctors should be getting information packages soon, but if they don't have the info yet, tell them to give Brown a call at Oak Bay recreation, 250-370-7114.

"It physician-driven, because we're trying to make sure we're reaching the people that really need the program. So we're looking for referrals from the physician," said Brown.

kvass@vicnews.com