Skip to content

Creston community complex fitness centre opening on Saturday

Another milestone in the upgrades to the Creston and District Community Complex will be reached on Saturday with the grand opening of the fitness centre and PhysioWorks and More.
85374crestoncreston_community_complex_fitness_centre
The fitness centre at the Creston and District Community Complex officially opens on Saturday.

Another milestone in the upgrades to the Creston and District Community Complex will be reached on Saturday with the grand opening of the fitness centre and PhysioWorks and More.

“We are holding an open house from 1-4 p.m. to introduce the new facilities to people of the Creston Valley,” recreation programmer Andrea Peet said on Monday. “We’ll have food, prizes, demonstrations, free classes — something for everyone.”

The fitness centre, located inside the fitness track on the second floor, overlooking the aquatic facility, is accessible by stairways and an elevator. It is adjacent to PhysioWorks and More, a privately operated physiotherapy business owned by Michael and Candace Foy. The business leases the space and has an agreement that allows its patients to use the aquatic and fitness facilities.

“It’s an ideal situation for PhysioWorks and More, the patients and the community complex,” Peet said. “Patients get a better treatment experience and they get an introduction to our facilities, which might encourage them to continue their use once their treatments are over.”

Tia Harceg, head fitness instructor of the fitness centre, said she is excited at the opportunity to put her skills to use. She has a degree in kinesiology and is a certified fitness trainer.

“People who have come into the facility are really excited by what we have to offer,” she said. “We’ve been running orientation systems to explain the use of all the equipment twice a day and they’ve been pretty much full.”

Included in the centre is a range of cardio and strength equipment, as well as free weights and accessories like stability balls, an agility ladder, balance board and toner bands.

Use of the fitness centre equipment and activities is included in the daily use fee, but additional programs are available at a cost. Harceg offers personal training sessions for individuals, couples and groups up to six.

“We can create customized programs for individuals on a scheduled basis,” she said.

Drop-in fitness classes, included in the daily use fee, currently include seniors’ line dancing, cardio blast, spinning, Qigong (a form of Tai Chi), and strength and toning.

“We really need more instructors, so we encourage those who are interested to contact us,” Peet said. “Even if people aren’t currently certified, we can help identify how and where they can get the necessary certification.”

She also pointed out the availability of childminding services for parents. Children from 18 months to six years of age can be dropped off for supervised care on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 9 a.m.-noon, for a maximum of two hours. The fee is $4.50 an hour and a 10-hour pass is $40.50.

“We hope to be able to add more hours to the service if there is sufficient demand,” she said.

Harceg said the fitness centre has opportunities for volunteers, who clean the equipment and area in exchange for use of the facility.

“It’s a great way to meet people and contribute to the operation of the fitness centre,” she said. “We have some volunteers but are looking for more.”

Visitors attending the open house on Saturday are invited to bring their indoor shoes and workout clothes. Free classes and demonstrations will be held throughout the afternoon. Draws for prizes including passes, a personal training session, fitness assessment and gift certificates will also be made during the afternoon.