Happy July 4th Everyone! I was speaking this week to a gentleman who immigrated to the United States. I asked him how he would rate the American specific holidays, like Thanksgiving or Fourth of July. Although I was just being curious and conversational, his answer struck me in an unexpected way. He said today is his favorite because it was a celebration of what makes our nation so unique around the world. Having lived in many countries, he recognized that only the United States was built on the ideal that anyone could make their dreams real here. No matter your background or your country of origin, one could find success and also feel welcomed. Sometimes it can take someone who has a little more perspective to open our eyes to what we might take for granted.
Naturally, this makes me think about our own clubs and what kind of environment we want to create for our members and guests. For someone who has never joined a club or has been a member of another facility, how can we make them feel welcome inside of our walls? The founding principal of acac was to build a fitness and wellness center that allows everyone to find success along their fitness journey. It does not matter where you are from, or your skill level, or how ambitious your workout goals may be. We will always strive to be a club where everyone can have the opportunity to explore what it means to live your best.
Like me, I am sure most of you have spent most of your lives inside of the United States. The perspective we have of what it would be like to move here from somewhere else is limited. Similarly, many of you have only been a part of one fitness organization, and in some cases have never been inside of another club. I am here to tell you that we have a pretty special club group and you don’t have to take my word for it. Just last week I received this note from a recent visitor to our West Chester club:
“Let’s just say I wish I had a club like that near us! I dropped the kids off 4/5 days we were in town and took advantage of the Kid’s Club – which was so easy! My husband even joined me one day and worked from the lobby. Such a great experience.”
I am proud to work for acac and proud to be part of such an amazing team.
We are welcoming many new faces around acac including new VP of Fitness Andrew Becker and Jamie Hamler who will be the Regional Manager for our Sportsclub facilities in Greenville, SC. For the first time since 2020, we have filled all of our open leadership positions, which will no doubt have a positive impact on the future growth and continued quality of our brand.
There is also a ton in store for the next few months, many equipment upgrades, and some major renovations, like to our Short Pump fitness center. New group cycle bikes finally made their way to our Greenville clubs after a nearly 5 month wait! Last but not least, we are on pace to hit our 30,000 membership goal between now and the end of the year, which will be a nice cause for celebration.
I hope you all have a great 4th of July and enjoy this month updates from around acac!
Chris
Downtown – Cuteness Overload!
Pets of the month!
Check out our Regional Marketing Director’s Guinea Pigs. Cassy has shared a photo of her lovely furry friends, Snowball & Biscuit.
Our downtown team has the key to our hearts with their furry friends. Everest, the ultra-cool pup, is the furry boss of Sandra, our Downtown Member Services, Kid Zone, and Spa Director
Now, meet the dynamic duo, Gracie and Teddy! These two adorable pooches have the final say at the home of our Downtown General Manager, Jill Acchione….they look pretty fierce!
Adventure Central
Check out the new Thursday Night Beginner Tennis crew at Adventure Central! Let’s all applaud our Tennis Director Cat for creating these fun and amazing programs.
acac says goodbye and good luck to Mrs. Amanda after 12 extraordinary years in our Preschool. She has touched many lives here, and while we will miss you deeply, we are thrilled about your new adventure in motherhood. Thank you for the knowledge and love you’ve shared with our children. We wish you all the best in your new journey. May it bring you countless blessings and joy.
Albemarle Square
Our 6 am basketball squad is getting after it on the hardwood. Rumor has it that a few of our players are declaring for the 2024 NBA Draft next year.
Did you know?
Sarah K. our Albemarle Square housekeeper competed in this year’s Special Olympics. Not only did she make us proud by competing, but she also brought home some hardware as well. Congratulations Sarah!
Prior to losing to Virginia in The Charlottesville Super Regional Baseball tournament, The Duke Baseball Team needed a quick workout before play. Pretty cool to have a Division 1 Baseball Team utilize our facilities.
Midlothian
Midlothian and Short Pump collected gently used luggage for foster children who needed a bag to carry their belongings. This 10-day collection was very overwhelming but for a great cause. Our lovely team members and members were able to pack the acac bus for delivery. These items were later donated to a local non-profit.
Bringing in summer the Right Way!
The Midlothian team kicked off their 2023 summer with an “All Aboard for Summer” theme. Members enjoyed food and beverages from the Poolside Café, games, along with free entertainment. Our members were also treated to freshly cut melons to cool down on a hot summer day.
Short Pump
Father’s Day Gift!
Let us congratulate our new parents as they welcome Lucy-Grace to the world. Congrats Lisa and Justin Woodcock on your beautiful baby girl.
We had a great turnout at the Anthem Corporate Fun Run at Innsbrook. Thank you to all of the team members who attended.
Huge congrats to Francine for leading our team members through the sun salutations and asanas yoga class. What a great way to unwind and relax!
West Chester
The WC team bringing in The 4th of July with a Friday Barbecue
Sportsclub (Greenville, Simpsonville, Five Forks)
New Weight plates and Dumbbells require a lot of help. Thank you to all of the teams down in SC who helped bring in the new Equipment.
Check out our Greenville and Five Forks Aquafit classes bringing in the Fourth of July with a party of their own!
Simpsonville had their hands full with lots of cool, and impactful events! First, we had the Superhero 5k for Autism and Sunrise 8k. Sportsclub Simpsonville Membership Team: Wendy Ravan, Maggie Redding, and Cintia Alltman along with GM Steve Pastorek and his Family provided water and Gatorade to all the runners and walkers at both events.
Next, we have a Night of The Living Dead Lift competition. Members had a wonderful time competing in the competition, while also raising money to Support Homes for Heros. We were able to raise over $400!
Lastly, Simpsonville donated all the old plates, dumbbells, bars, and tires to Mauldin High School. The wrestling team along with the coaches picked up all the old equipment and brought it back to the High School where the Football team met them and helped unload.
