» Facility Profile
Facility Profi le
Garnet A. Williams Community
Centre Staying competitive with the private
market is all about lots of extras and a welcoming attitude.
Twenty-five years in business is
a milestone for any organization to reach, but in the fast-moving fitness industry, it’s a downright honour. One such facility, Garnet A. Williams Centre, located in Vaughan, Ont., is cel- ebrating its 25th anniversary this year. There are many obvious reasons why it has become a staple in the community.
The centre boasts plenty of options
for the finicky fitness fanatic: Urban Rebounding classes are perfect for car- dio that is easy on joints; a formidable 22-bike spinning studio is always ready for the next sweat-fest; and squash courts offer the perfect alternative for couples looking to get fit together. Its 30-plus strength training stations in- clude names such as Cybex, Precor's Icarian line, Atlantis and Hammer, and Life Fitness and Quinton pieces round out their cardio training equipment.
Through member surveys, the staff
constantly tries to outdo the com- petition by offering innovative and unique classes like May's “Spin and Lift” class which is offered as a month- ly special. It also pulls out all the stops when it comes to making its members and their families feel appreciated. Initiatives and events, like the Member Appreciation Day held each May and biannual squash tournaments, are held throughout the year. While member- ship is limited to those aged 14 and older, the centre offers free babysit- ting from 9:30 to 11:30 am three days a week making it the perfect choice for parents.
Allowing potential members to try
out its services is an important part of the centre's marketing strategy. To capitalize on the resolution boom, it hosts a “Come Out and Play” week each January where potential members can try the facility at no charge. A 90-min- ute fitness consultation is also includ- ed with every membership, and each month there is a guest day where mem- bers can bring a friend free of charge.
One such facility, Garnet A. Williams Centre, located in Vaughan, Ont., is cel- ebrating its 25th anniversary this year. There are many obvious reasons why it has become a staple in the community. The centre boasts plenty of options
T
for the fi nicky fi tness fanatic: Urban Rebounding classes are perfect for car- dio that is easy on joints; a formidable 22-bike spinning studio is always ready for the next sweat-fest; and squash courts offer the perfect alternative for
50 Fitness Business Canada July/August 2009
Fitness Business Canada May/June 2009
Creating a buzz within the commu-
nity is important to all of the City of Vaughan’s recreational facilities, and a robust advertising campaign is in place to capture the attention of the community: email broadcasts go out to a list of more than 4,000 former pro- gram registrants on a regular basis, and local newspaper advertisements and spots on community television keep its target audience in touch with the centre’s latest programs.
Garnet A. Williams plays an impor-
tant role in the careers of the commu- nity’s up-and-coming fitness profes- sionals by offering co-op placements for college students. During these placements, students experience the world of health services management firsthand through positions in the fa- cility’s fitness consulting and special events organization departments. If the students are up to snuff, they can look forward to part-time employment as a City of Vaughan fitness staff in one of the city's fitness centres.
Quick Bits
Garnet A. Williams Community Centre
Garnet A. Williams Fitness Centre Thornhill, Ont www.vaughan.ca
Number of members: 1350 Number of staff: 2 fulltime, 25 part-
time staff Club fees: yearly from $387.75 for a
Staying in business for 25 years is all about lots of extras and a welcoming attitude
student living in Vaughan to $727.75 for a non-resident adult.
Facility size: 12,430 sq. ft. plus a
wenty-fi ve years in business is a milestone for any orga- nization to reach, but in the fast-moving fi tness indus- try, it’s a downright honour.
spin studio, pool, indoor track as well as squash, racquetball and table ten- nis courts.
Key programs: spinning, aquafit and
Urban Rebounding classes; personal training; squash lessons and leagues; pilates, yoga and tai chi available at ad- ditional cost
Equipment: 30 pieces of strength
equipment, 22 Schwinn power cycling bikes and 35 pieces of cardio training equipment
couples looking to get fi t together. Its 30-plus strength training stations in- clude names such as Cybex, Precor's Icarian line, Atlantis and Hammer, and Life Fitness and Quinton pieces round out their cardio training equipment. Through member surveys, the staff
constantly tries to outdo the com- petition by offering innovative and unique classes like May's “Spin and Lift” class which is offered as a monthly special. It also pulls out all the stops when it comes to making its members and their families feel appreciated. Initiatives and events, like the Member Appreciation Day held each May and biannual squash tournaments, are held
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