Bodies by Choice in Nipawin has served its final day as a gym and will be closed during the summer to undergo renovations and rebranding.
The facility, which is currently owned and operated by Arlene Helgason, will be turned over to new owner Greg Sproat. Sproat will start renovations on July 18th and is hoping to have the new facility, “Hooked on Fitness”, open by the fall.
Helgason has spent 19 years running the gym, which has been in three different locations since 2003. She told northeastNOW it was never something she saw herself doing, but she’s glad she did because she loved every second of it.
“I didn’t really expect it to be this big of a part of my life, but it’s been a great journey. Just being a part of the community and helping so many people is just so rewarding. I spent most of my time here and I loved absolutely every minute of it, my days always went by quickly. I never got up in the morning and thought I didn’t want to go to the gym.”
Helgason will now retire to spend more time with her family, especially her grandchildren, as she’s happy to be taking a break. That doesn’t mean, however, she won’t miss all the wonderful members who have come and gown throughout her years and always supported her business.
“The members have been absolutely amazing, members past and present have been so supportive and have made this gym like home for a lot of people. Everybody got along and looked after each other. And I’m sure it’s like that in every other gym too. Everybody comes here for the same reason and that’s to get healthy. Just the energy and atmosphere inside the gym makes everybody happy.”
As for Sproat, he’s the one who brought the idea of selling to her, something which made her realize it was time.
His vision is to create a hybrid gym which will offer traditional full-service equipment, along with group training and fitness classes.
However, regardless of what changes are brought to health and wellness in Nipawin, he knows one thing has to remain constant… the fundamentals and relationships which Helgason has created.
“The one thing I don’t want to change about this gym is the community. Hats off to her for just doing such a good job of cultivating a great culture within her gym. The members go there because of her and I’m gonna have big shoes to fill stepping in.”
“It’s at that point where it’s kind of a refresh. So my hope is that no matter what someone’s fitness goals are, we’ll have them covered. We’re just excited to be a part of our members’ fitness journeys.”
Sproat will also hope to create an indoor turf track for training purposes and partner with local sporting organizations like the Nipawin Hawks, to integrate all levels of fitness within the community.
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Ben.Tompkins@pattisonmedia.com
On Twitter @BenTompkins_8
