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| Home > News > Pre-2004 News |
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Fitness center to open next year
Oct. 23, 2001
St. John's Fitness Center will open a new facility in Nixa early next year.
St. John's will lease the top level of the Nixa Community Center at 701 N. Taylor Way for the new fitness center, which is expected to open in February 2002 after two years of planning.
The building will contain a smaller version of the fitness center now located on Walnut Lawn in Springfield, according to Belinda Mercer, fitness center director. Mercer said the new facility will be a close replica of the existing fitness center.
"We currently have about 40,000 square feet," Mercer said. "We had to be limited on the amount of things we wanted to do in the new facility because it is quite a bit smaller."
The 10,000-square-foot building will offer free weights and cardio classes such as aerobic dance and tae kwon do. Cardiovascular equipment such as cycles and treadmills will also be available. The community center will also offer a track and a swimming pool to St. John's Fitness Center members, but members must pay extra to use the pool.
Mercer said the community of Nixa wanted to build a community center that would include a fitness aspect and approached St. John's for help.
"This is a good fit for St. John's," Mercer said. "This gives us a chance to make our presence even more known in Christian County."
Nixa Family Medical Clinic is also expanding.
Fitness Center Director of Membership Mike Moon added that the current fitness center has reached capacity and needs to expand. Moon hopes the new location will free up space at the existing fitness center because Christian County members will take advantage of the Nixa location.
"We anticipate attracting at least 600 members to the facility in Nixa prior to its opening," Moon said. "We also have a handful of people who are anxious to join."
He said St. John's, and other area business pay for a portion of their employees' fitness center memberships. Current membership fees are $34 a month, but St. John's pays $15 toward each employees' memberships. "There are companies in town that match the discount that St. John's offers its employees," Moon said. "Some do a little more, some do a little less. We are hoping that businesses in Nixa will do the same."
Employees who are covered by Premier Health Plans and exercise regularly at the fitness center are also eligible to receive an annual insurance premium rebate, he said.
The fitness center will offer day lockers and will be open 6 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays.
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