Ginger Anzalone, V.P., general manager for Vesta Property Services, was project manager for the 2020 Centre that opened in Kings Point a year ago. The North Clubhouse Fitness Center was closed, but exercise equipment in the South Clubhouse is still available. Bill Hodges photos.
Exercise is good for you — no doubt about that; all the experts say so — and there are numerous physical activities in Sun City Center. Dancing, sports, exercise classes. You name it.
For many Sun City Center residents, however, machines and weights in one or more of the facilities available to them is part of their program to get a “full-body” workout. It’s a time to interact with others and at the same time do something good for themselves.
The activities and workout facilities available in Sun City Center are phenomenal. Excuses used by the general population just don’t apply here. For example: No time? (Most of us are retired or work part time.) Gym is too far away? (You can get anyplace in SCC in five to 10 minutes.) Not familiar with the machines? (Instructors, monitors and personal trainers are available; fellow “exercisers” are quick to help as well.) Afraid you will aggravate some chronic health condition or need to “rebuild” after surgery or an accident? (The professionals are trained on how to advise you.)
So what is available in Sun City Center?
Kings Point 2020 Centre Opened in March 2015, the $4.3 million fitness and wellness facility occupies the building that once was the WCI headquarters on S.R. 674. It is a free amenity available to Kings Point residents (about 9,000). Upon request, staff instructors will provide a personal evaluation, recommend an exercise routine and take you through an initial equipment orientation. Mentors are always on hand to ensure that machines are being used correctly and personal trainers are available for a fee. The Centre replaced the Fitness Center at the North Club, but for residents’ convenience, the South Club exercise facility remains open. All the Kings Point amenities are managed by Vesta Property Services. Ginger Anzalone, Vesta vice president and general manager, says that users of KP exercise facilities have dramatically increased in the past year.
SCC Community Association The Fitness Center on the Central Campus, North Pebble Beach Boulevard, is a
SCC Community Association Fitness Committee Chairman Ernie Kociban says that Kevin Burke’s project management experience has been invaluable over his three years on the committee. Here, Burke supervises installation of the multi-gym that was included in the latest phase of a three-year $180,000 program to add or replace equipment.
no-fee amenity to the largest population block in the community (11,000-plus). It was built in 2007 to replace a smaller space in the Atrium building. Over the past three years, members have seen huge changes that make the center a state-of-the-art facility. The center is part of the CA amenities, which are member-owned and managed by First Services Residential. There are no staff instructors, but periodically, a free training class is offered on proper equipment usage. Attendants are always on hand to stress safety and serve as first responders in an emergency. They can answer questions but due to liability constraints, cannot offer extensive guidance. In those cases, members are referred to a personal trainer. “We try to be as helpful as possible, but mainly, people help each other,” said Attendant Supervisor Richie Vilasi.
A volunteer Fitness Center Committee representing a cross section of CA members (gender, age) is headed by Ernie Kociban. Committee members constantly observe and survey equipment usage in order to give recommendations to the CA board about members’ needs. The committee is now in an evaluation phase to monitor usage and make adjustments accordingly. CA Director Sam Sudman serves as the committee’s board liaison.
Renaissance
Club Renaissance Fitness Manager Julie Drackett, center, talks with Jeanne Foley and Roy Sellars about their exercise routines.
Club Renaissance members have a choice. They are also members of the SCC Community Association so they can choose to use the CA Fitness Center, the Renaissance Fitness Center — or both. Although smaller, the Renaissance facility offers a more intimate and personal workout experience.
“It is important that you know how to treat each individual,” said Fitness Manager Julie Drackett. Instructors and trainers are on staff to offer complimentary orientations and recommend workout programs considering a user’s physical condition and health issues. They then work on their own or retain a staff trainer for a fee. Drackett says that users who exercise at Renaissance usually do so because it is closer to their homes, is open 24 hours and has qualified staff. All the instructors and trainers have physical fitness degrees. She says that the users who use both facilities do so because they then have a wider choice of machines. There is also the “social” aspect as they meet friends there. Club Renaissance is accessible to anyone with a social membership; that’s mandatory for Renaissance residents but is also available to other SCC residents. Club Renaissance is owned by ClubLink.
Freedom Plaza/Aston Gardens/Sun Towers
Freedom Plaza residents also have a choice. Although they have access to a somewhat limited number of exercise machines onsite, CA facilities are available to them as well through an agreement between Freedom Plaza and the Community Association.
Aston Gardens residents are members of the Community Association, so they, too, have access to all CA facilities.
At Sun Towers, due to safety concerns, there is no equipment on site, although they do plan to add an exercise physiologist soon to work with residents. Some residents are still CA members, however, and have continued access to the Fitness Center.
In science fiction, it is usually man struggling against machine. In Sun City Center, it is machines helping man as they pursue a healthier, happier and more productive life.
