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Complex’s fitness center sees increased membership
Chris Albers of Libertyville concentrates on her bicep curls during the Strength & Flexibility class inside of the Fitness Center at the Libertvyille Sports Complex. | Michelle LaVigne~Sun-Times Media
Fitness Center open house
When: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Dec. 12
Where: Libertyville Sports Complex, 1950 N. U.S. 45
Includes: Early holiday shopping with vendors, refreshments, giveaways and membership sales
Article Extras
Updated: February 4, 2013 1:16AM
LIBERTYVILLE – Rick Larson has been to his share of fitness clubs.
But Larson, a Libertyville resident, has been at the Libertyville Sports Complex Fitness Center for 10 years now and feels he has found his workout home.
“I’ve been to a lot of fitness clubs, but I’ve been (at the Sports Complex) longer than any of them,” Larson said.
Larson said he finds the complex’s Fitness Center convenient, with good hours and equipment that is usual accessible when he wants to use it. He added that the facility is very clean, “extremely affordable” and the staff is very friendly.
Larson is one of more than 1,000 people who are members of the Fitness Center, and memberships at the facility are trending upward, according to Connie Kowal, village recreation and Sports Complex director.
While the Fitness Center and the rest of the 169,000-square-foot Indoor Sports Center turn a nice profit for the village, two other components of the Sports Complex – the Golf Learning Center and the Family Entertainment Center – failed to live up to expectations. The village is looking to sell those underperforming parcels.
The village-run Fitness Center will welcome area residents to an open house Wednesday, giving them an opportunity to see what the facility has to offer. Kowal said the open house is part of an effort to get the jump on fitness club marketing.
“When you think of joining a fitness club, when do you think of it?” Kowal rhetorically asked. “In January. We hit it really hard promotions-wise in November and December to be out in front of things. We promote that side of the (Sports Complex) business. “
Kowal said the Fitness Center and the entire Sports Complex takes a very aggressive marketing stance.
“We are looking to do new things every day,” he said.
Kowal noted that just because the Fitness Center has Libertyville in its name doesn’t mean is it strictly for Libertyville residents. He said the center does not have a non-resident fee, meaning people working in Libertyville or living in another nearby suburb pay the same membership fee as residents.
“We are like the Statue of Liberty,” Kowal said. “We welcome everyone.”
Libertyville resident Kelli Kepler Yarc, who like Larson has been a member of the facility for 10 years, loves the Fitness Center and its variety of offerings.
“I really enjoy the atmosphere. It is very friendly, “ said Yarc, who normally works out at the facility in the morning. “The Fitness Center offers a lot of variety. You can do different things.
“The instructors are all good. It is a pleasure to go there.”
