A large room full of exercise equipment is waiting to be used. Even though Panther Fitness is located in the old shop area of Bentley Elementary School and is accessible to students, it is also available for the public’s use.
An open house of the gym and all the equipment was held the evening of Oct. 4.
Panther Fitness opened to the public Oct. 9 and will be available between the hours of 3:30-9:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. It is closed on weekends and on school holidays.
When a suitable, reliable “morning person” is found who will open up and supervise the room, it will also be open from 6 to 10 a.m. three days a week. If you are interested in this part-time position, contact principal Lane Moore at the school.
Anyone who wants to make use of the weight training/cardiovascular equipment can call the school at 403-748-3770 or 403-341-4153 Ext. 2121. Change rooms and lockers are available.
The school bought out a private gym near Grand Prairie and renovated where the woodworking classes used to be held. They’re now held on the second floor of the school.
“We saw there was a decrease in shop usage,” said librarian and gym manager Sherry Haarstad. “When we saw the equipment for sale we thought it’d be perfect for this space.”
The gym features change rooms, washrooms and classes. Zumba classes will be held in the gym, spin classes in the school’s mezzanine and starting mid-October, kettle bell classes.
There will be one and nine-month membership packages as well as $5 drop-ins.
The project has been in the works for a couple of years and now is ready to go. It will be worked into the curriculum for students during the day and be open to the public after hours so the whole community can benefit.
By June Norvila and Amelia Naismith