Healthy year for park district club

BY Cathy Miller

Amidst an atmosphere of national stringent economic times and budget cutbacks, Des Plaines Park District has managed to successfully promote and operate a community fitness facility. Its success is due in part to the health club's physical layout and operations and in part to the pricing philosophy behind its membership fees.

The use of wall-mounted equipment contributes both to efficiency and spaciousness.

According to Edward Clift, Superintendent of Recreation for the District, the health club was built ". . . in response to the community's need for a less expensive fitness facility. A quick survey of other competitive agencies in our area revealed that they were priced beyond the reach of the average income family."

The health club is situated within the Park District's two year old Administrative and Leisure Center; a building formerly used as an elementary school. The twenty year old building had been slated for closing by school officials due to a dwindling student population. Negotiations between both school and park officials ended with the building being "purchased" by the Park District at little cost to the taxpayers. Renovations began almost immediately with the major part of them centering on the health club's construction.

An initial investment of approximately $60,000 for construction costs and $15,000 in equipment yielded a fitness facility that has separate weight-rooms, locker rooms, showers and saunas for men and women in addition to a co-ed whirlpool. Classrooms converted into weightrooms were wood-paneled, carpeted (women's) or floor matted (men) and each has one wall that is covered with full-length mirrors.

The majority of weight equipment in the women's side is wall-mounted, leaving ample space for floor exercises. There are ten exercise stations. In contrast, the men's weightroom has a stationery modular circuit trainer located in the center of the room which can accommodate eight. The remaining equipment is wall-mounted providing ten more exercise stations.

New members are issued a private key, picture identification card, 5-visit guest pass and a packet that explains the club's operations ranging from health rules to equipment use. Other services include a private fitness test at no additional charge and babysitting service for a nominal fee.

Illinois Parks and Recreation 38 November/December 1981

Brightly striped walk lead Des Plaines Park District Health Club members to their proper entrance.

Park District staff have given careful attention to meeting the distinctive needs of the average health club member. For example, it was quickly discovered that structured exercise classes involving a workout on the equipment under the supervision of a trained health club instructor were immensely popular with women members. As a result, the club now offers members free classes six days a week at hours designed to be convenient for their schedule. On the other hand, such classes were a dismal failure with the men, who preferred to work out alone.

In the two years since it opened its doors, the club has now reached a break-even point. First year projections of membership have long been surpassed with the club now serving nearly 600 members.

The average age for female members ranges from 35 to 50 with men ranging from 40 to 60 years of age. The health club is open for use year round seven days a week. Hours are from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. on weekdays, 8:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Saturdays and 1:00 to 6:00 p.m. on Sundays. Summer hours vary slightly.

Renovation was expensive—but worth it.

Cathy Miller is the public relations department for the Des Plaines Park District. A graduate from Loyola University of Chicago with a B.A. in English, she is currently completing coursework towards a Master's Degree in Marketing Communications from Roosevelt University in Chicago.

Ms. Miller has had many years of experience in the field of communications ranging from the editing, writing and producing of a trade publication to Assistant Public Relations Director for the Chicago Convention and Tourism Bureau. She has been working in the field of parks and recreation for the past four years.

Among other affiliations, she is a member of the North Shore Public Relations Club and an officer of the Northwest Press.

Illinois Parks and Recreation 37 November/December 1981