St. Albert will welcome another fitness centre, not greet it as competition, said Servus Credit Union Place fitness and wellness coordinator Bryce McLeod this Thursday. The statement followed an announcement that GoodLife Fitness is moving into the city.
According to GoodLife's website, the centre will open in 2013. It will be located at 525 St. Albert Trail, near the Riverside Honda location.
Some of the planned amenities include a cardio theatre with plasma TVs, free weights and strength training machines, a group cycling studio and a lounge area with massage chairs.
Matthew Colletti, member of the club opening team that trains new employees, said GoodLife Fitness caters to the everyday family and not just people who want to look big. Shy people with little experience are as welcome as fitness buffs.
"We have a whole bunch of group orientation and free services included in the membership," he said.
"We teach you how to do cardio, stretches, group exercises, Zumba, yoga and Pilates, martial arts … it's all included in the membership."
While the fitness centre is under construction, prospective members and fitness enthusiasts can get a first glimpse at the facility at the presentation centre outside the site.
The centre opens four to six months ahead of the official opening, and provides video previews of GoodLife facilities and fitness counseling.
"We also go over your fitness goals, create a short-term plan and we will also have memberships available at a discounted price that people can commit to," Colletti said.
Signing up early does not mean members are stuck once the fitness centre opens. Those who don't like it can leave the club for free within the first seven to ten days.
McLeod said St. Albert had six fitness providers in 2006 but that number has grown to 28 fitness-focused businesses. Since 2008, Servus Place alone saw a 24 per cent increase in memberships.
"I don't think GoodLife is competition in terms of our goals as a facility and having a healthier community aligns with our city's vision," McLeod said.
"We are a family facility, a place where families come and recreate together."
Servus Place is considering expanding its own fitness and wellness centre to accommodate the approximately 100 people per hour that use it during peak hours.
An official opening date for GoodLife Fitness has not been set. Colletti expects it will be in the summer of 2013.
The Sturgeon Valley Athletic Club gave no comment concerning the opening of the new facility.
Canada Post letter carrier department moving
St. Albert's Canada Post letter carrier department is moving this weekend from its old location at 1 Herbert Rd. to its new building at 230 Carleton Dr. in Campbell Business Park.
The department is responsible for collecting and distributing all mail coming to and from St. Albert. The move is not expected to cause any delay in services.
Road connection from 137 St. to Ray Gibbon Dr. to finish this month
Sue Howard, manager of capital projects for the city of St. Albert, said road construction north of Riel South between LeClair Way and Sir Winston Churchill Avenue will finish this month.
The new road will create a direct connection between 137 Avenue and Ray Gibbon Drive, making it easier for commuters to connect to Anthony Henday Drive.
Howard said the road is expected to open the week of Oct. 22.
137 Avenue also remains closed from 170 Street to the intersection of Sir Winston Churchill Avenue and 184 Street and from the intersection of Sir Winston Churchill Avenue/184 Street to Hawthorne Crescent.
Howard said the City of Edmonton is doing concrete work. According to the city's website, this part of the road is expected to re-open on Nov. 2 at 8 a.m.
Next St. Albert cash mob planned
After its initial success, St. Albert's cash mob is ready to strike again. This time, the meeting is set for Oct. 18 at Privada Wine Bar, at the corner of St. Anne Street and Perron Street.
The rule for participants is to visit an independently owned business and commit to spending at least $20. The location and name of the business will not be revealed until the mob assembles.
Heidi Fedoruk is leading the group of shoppers once again, and promises snacks served by Over the Top Cakes, a new St. Albert business set to open on Oct. 20.
