When Patrick Rau, Bonduel School District superintendent, listened to the discussion at last week’s “Connecting the Dots” workshop, he couldn’t help but think about the Bonduel Fitness Center.
Workshop participants from across the county were discussing the need for better communication so that everyone better understands what resources are available throughout the area to address issues such as poor health, poverty and community development.
Rau noted that the fitness center is underutilized, and that some people were unaware that membership is free and open to the public.
The facility located at Bonduel High School serves 30 to 60 area residents, but is capable of helping many more.
“Daily participation is a good amount for a community this small, but I also know there are people out there that are not exercising, and we are trying to figure out what is holding them back,” said Liza Margelofsky, director of the Bonduel Community Health Initiative.
The initiative was developed in 2009 in conjunction with a referendum to add 30,438 square feet to the elementary school and 5,920 square feet to the high school. The initiative’s goal was to create opportunities for students, staff and area residents to become healthier in their daily lives.
Community fundraisers, a $365,000 grant, and a donation from Greg and Raquel Strayer helped finance the plan.
The result was a state-of-the-art cardio and strength training facility.
“It was about making an opportunity available to our community and expose themselves to exercise equipment and the services we provide,” Margelofsky said. “I think it has met that goal, but there is an ongoing challenge of getting new people in the community familiar with the place.”
One of the center’s issues might be that some area residents still think it is just for students.
Margelofsky also noted that the facility is not limited to Bonduel residents. It also has members from Shawano and Pulaski, and as far away as Michigan.
Yoga, Zumba and basic toning courses are offered twice weekly. The cost is $4 per session.
“We have a morning fitness class that has about 22 senior citizens involved, which is a good number for our community,” Margelofsky said.
One of the newest initiatives is a “fear-free” training program geared toward assisting people who might be unsure or apprehensive about starting an exercise program.
“It is about exposing people to what we have available,” Margelofsky said. “We encourage anyone to check us out and see what we can do to help to put fitness into their life.”
The facility contains stationary equipment such as spin bikes, treadmills, arc trainers and a machine for people undergoing physical rehabilitation.
Strength and free-motion training equipment also is available, including free weights, jump ropes, weighted bars, stability balls, yoga mats and blocks. Free-motion equipment provides resistance training to boost overall strength and improve cardiovascular health.
“The one comment we hear the most from people is that our equipment is nice, clean and stable,” Margelofsky said.
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