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New weight room unveiled at rec center

By LIANE SMITH (Contact)

Wednesday, January 3, 2007

Exercisers at the Bonita Springs Recreation Center were all smiles Wednesday at the grand opening dedication of its new weight room.

"It's just great," Mary Ellen May said of the new weight room. "I'm glad I stuck around."

May had just gotten out of a group exercise class and won a free massage from a drawing at the event.

Photo by LIANE SMITH / Banner

Bonitans exercise in the newly opened weight room at the Bonita Springs Recreation Center Wednesday, just minutes before Mayor Jay Arend dedicated the room to the community.

May and her husband are winter residents who joined the rec center in November. Her husband uses the facility five or six times a week, and she uses the facility about three times a week.

"If I can manage to get here three times a week, I'm good," May said.

The new weight room, which was dedicated Wednesday by Mayor Jay Arend, triples the size of the old weight room with 2,000 square feet of space surrounded by mirrored walls.

NorStar Construction, based out of North Fort Myers, completed the job for about $345,000. Project manager Ron Jacobs said the room, which required an addition to the rec center, took about 120 days to complete.

"Once the roof went on and the paint went on and the mirrors went in, it really opened it up," Jacobs said. "I think the users are really happy."

The new room has five new pieces of weight resistance equipment that aid in strengthening all parts of the body. In addition to those pieces, the new room has a number of treadmills and will soon be getting an elliptical machine. All of the new pieces will complement the exercise equipment from the old room, including free weights and other machines.

"More than anything else, it's given the residents, not only a larger facility, but a larger variety," said Berry's Barbell and Total Fitness representative Jeff Schroeder.

Exercise instructor Nancy Ranke, who teaches "Shape and Tone," at the rec center said, many of her students also need to use the weight room for either cardiovascular exercise or strength training.

"There are some things you just can't do in a group exercise class," Ranke said. "This is going to draw a lot of people."

Bonitan Don Christy has been a member of the rec center since 1994.

Photo by LIANE SMITH / Banner

Bonitan Don Christy strength trains in the new weight room, which is triple the size of the old weight room.

"I love it," Christy said. "It's much needed."

According to Christy, during the summer months the recreation center slows down, but heavy traffic during the winter caused a major need for an expanded weight room.

"It's because of our pro-active (city) council we were able to provide this," said Bonita Springs Recreation Center Director Jack Campbell.

The center, which is a city-owned and maintained facility, caters to all demographics, Mayor Arend said.

According to the mayor, the council has been making an effort to plan ahead for its anticipated 80,000 residents in the future.

"We need activities for everyone," Arend said. "I'm glad our council made the decision when they did."

"There's a lot of people that can't afford to go to a gym," Arend added. "This is nice. They can come and go as they please."

Membership fees are $45 for Bonita Springs property owners under the age of 55, and $40 for property owners over the age of 55. All non-property owners, regardless of age, can purchase a one-year membership for $60. The facility is also available for a daily fee of $3 per person.

Memberships include use of the weight room, gym, locker room, showers, game room, non-registered classes, and the community pool.

The Bonita Springs Recreation Center is located at 26740 Pine Avenue, off West Terry Street, behind the Bonita Springs Public Library. The recreation center is open Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information call 992-2556.