Media were given the opportunity to tour the fitness facilities in the Badlands Community Facility on Friday, January 6. It is estimated the fitness side of the building is between 80 to 90 per cent complete and the entire facility will be open mid-February.
    Last week was an important time for the Community Facility. The fitness equipment had arrived and was in the process of being installed by Apple Fitness.
     “The list of equipment is quite extensive and we hope we have met the needs of a multitude of people and demographics in the Drumheller area. There is equipment for young and old that is easy to use and is what the community desired for their fitness regime,” said Guy Latour, Business Manager of the Community Facility.
    The brands that are being installed are some of the highest quality in the market, such as Life Fitness and Hammer Strength.
    “These equipment lines are actually the exact same lines, and in some cases products, that you’d find in all the professional teams in Alberta and North America,” said Trevor Irwin, a Commercial Sales Representative for Apple Fitness.
    The fitness area is divided into two floors. The main floor will focus more on members who have more experience working out. The weight training equipment, such as free weights, benches, leg press, chest press, and cable cross over will be on the main floor.
    One of the more sophisticated machines on that level is the dual adjustable pulley. It has a touch screen monitor connected to it that will display workouts that can be done using the machine.
    Adjacent to the main level of the fitness centre is the fitness studio, a mirror-lined room that can accommodate various classes, such as gymnastics, or dance. There will also be spin bikes in the studio as well.
    The upper level of the fitness centre is the cardio and circuit training centre.
    The Life Fitness cardio machines, such as treadmills, recumbent bikes, and elliptical, all have 17-inch monitors mounted on top. The screens will be hooked up to Shaw Cable, allowing users to independently watch television.
    Another feature of the Life Fitness equipment is that members can create profiles online, download workouts created by professionals to a USB drive or onto an iPhone/iPad application, plug in to the machines, and be able to store results and track progress.
    The upper floor also has the Trixter upright bikes. The bikes are programmed with various courses, such as a flat street or mountain, that users can race on. Should the Trixter bikes become popular, additional bikes and a large screen can be added so users can race against one another, similar to an arcade.
    The upper floor also has equipment that is accessible to handicapped or persons with reduced mobility.
    There is also an extensive selection of weight machines on the upper floor as well. The machines are meant to be intuitive and easy to use.
    “Great for elderly, deconditioned users, or users new to exercise,” said Irwin.
    Despite the amount of equipment, there’s room for more depending on user demand.
    “We haven’t fully expanded this facility to the max yet. A lot of demand comes from users, you can’t anticipate everything. We still have a lot of flexibility in the design,” said Irwin.
    Community Facility staff will also be available to help orient users on the proper use of the equipment.
    The running track begins on the upper floor of the fitness centre. The track is suspended over the field house. The track will be divided into several lanes, with the outside lane being 149 metres long.
    The field house is almost done and will be large enough to have one full soccer and lacrosse field, three basketball and volleyball courts, and six badminton courts. There will be curtains that can be used to divide up the courts.
    The far side of the field would have a state of the art digital scoreboard that could display any conceivable sport.
    Latour explained that with the amount of equipment, the facility will be able to accommodate quite a few different sports, some of which are a little unusual.
    “We’re capable of doing in this gym, with the equipment we’ve ordered, close to 30 different sports and we’re going to play some of those. We’ve got a lot sports we’ve ordered the equipment for that people don’t always do or aren’t really popular. We’re going to try to promote them once a month,” said Latour.
    There would be drop-in times where members casually stop by to play different sports. The field house could also host large tournaments. The Community Facility has already been booked to host the regional football combine next year, where rural, high school players are scouted for universities.
    Memberships are currently available at the Aquaplex. So far roughly 50 memberships have been sold.
    “There are a lot of local people working in the building, and they didn’t say anything up until now. As soon as the fitness equipment came in I had six plumbers and the drywallers asking about memberships,” said Latour. “It’s about seeing what there is to offer.”
    Residents may soon get a chance to see what is on offer at the Community Facility. There is no definite date of completion, but it is estimated the building will be open mid-February.

    Drumheller and District 4-H has found a way to remember one of their own through a new scholarship.
     Carlie Bell of Orkney was a member of the Morrin 4-H Multi Club and was active on the Drumheller and District 4-H Council. She undertook an agricultural exchange to New Zealand. Upon completion she visited Australia before returning home. It is believed that while she was in Australia she was infected with Murray Valley encephalitis, a mosquito born virus. She passed away on May 23, 2011.        “Carlie was very special to us,” said Janice Hoover, key leader for the Drumheller and District 4-H Council. “The Council wanted to do something to promote her vision for 4-H.”
     Carlie had graduated from 4-H, but while she was on the council she was very interested in leadership and involvement in 4-H by senior members.
    “She wanted the senior members to learn and use new skills and to stay in 4-H, help the new members and make it grow,” said Hoover.
    It is with that in mind, the Council is establishing the Carlie Bell Memorial Scholarship. This scholarship is aimed at senior members who are interested in giving back.
    “Carlie wanted to keep senior members active in 4-H, so it is an award for senior members who are still active. They can get it by participation and contributing at the district and club levels, taking on key roles as a 4-H key member or 4-H Ambassador. It can be for 4-H leadership training, 4-H provides programs like Club Week,” said Hoover. “There are a variety of programs available, and there is a registration fee. So we are hoping the fund will encourage 4-Hers to attend those programs and gain those skills.”
      Hoover said there is good support for establishing the funds from the clubs in the district. They are certainly open to accepting donations for the funds. The 4-H Foundation of Alberta will administer the Scholarship Fund.
    “The Foundation will accept any donations, and forward tax receipts. They will take care of the funds so it is transparent and people can be acknowledged for their support,” said Hoover.
    For Hoover, this is a fitting way to pay tribute, and they are planning to dedicate a plaque or trophy for a visual reminder.
    “She was special to a lot of people, but to 4-H, she really spirited the Drumheller and District Council for a few years and we would like to acknowledge the work she started,” said Hoover.