Team acac:
Although I enjoy the summer, I truly look forward to this time of year when the leaves change and fill the horizon with color (at least until they fall off the trees and cause me to fire up the leaf blower again). I am always excited to watch my Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team in the fall and catch some playoff baseball too. For my three Australian Shepherds, fall is also sweet relief from the heat and humidity of the summer months.
I think most of us spend our time looking forward to things, whether it be a season, a vacation, event, or simply a visit with family and friends. With respect to our business, I feel like I have been personally guilty of looking backwards far too often these past couple of years. Often trying to recover what was lost, rather than focusing on the present or on what the future may hold. What comes next? How can we meet the changing needs of our communities? What can we do today to improve the lives of those whom we serve? In the coming months this will be the focus of our strategic thinking: learn from the past, embrace the now, and chart an optimistic course toward a more prosperous future for acac.
We have placed orders for more than $500,000 in new equipment across all of our clubs in the past few months, with more still to come. Some of the new renovations have come online, including new Pilates rooms at Downtown and Albemarle Square, new functional training room Downtown, and more to come elsewhere soon. Much of this is “catch up” from the past few years of fewer purchases, some of it is reimagining of our fitness floors. Have most of you noticed that our free weight and functional areas are super busy but cardio equipment usage has dropped from a few years ago? Look for some improvements to group exercise rooms in the not-so-distant future as well…
I would like to extend a warm welcome to our new friends from Greenville, South Carolina. I heard that some of our team did not receive the announcement that acac had purchased the three Sportsclub facilities in the Greenville area in August. I think I had too many pictures in the email so it bounced back. My apologies to those who had to hear about the news from our members! These clubs are amazing, with loyal members, a great team, and huge potential. Welcome to the team Sportsclub!
I also have some bittersweet news to announce this month. acac has sold the Timonium club to Coppermine Health and Fitness, a regional fitness operator in Baltimore. Coppermine officially takes ownership on November 1. With only one facility in the Baltimore area, we felt the best chance of continued success for our Timonium community would be to sell to a group that has a larger presence in the region, offering increased opportunities for the team and for the members. To the team, thank you all for your dedication and resilience over these past 7 years, it has been a pleasure working with you.
We work in a truly special industry, where we help our members and guests improve their mental and physical well-being every day. Keep up the great work and good luck battling the leaves!
In Health,
Chris
Thank you to all of our clubs for some awesome submissions this month!
West Chester
A Big Congrats!
Al Cushman, Aquatics Team Member & MOD, recently got engaged
Welcome Back, Katie!
Marketing Director Katie G. returned to the club after welcoming her first child. Say hello to precious Lily Maeve Gwinn!
Short Pump
New Team Member
Welcome to our newest Dept. Head, Housekeeping Director, T.J. Moore, who comes to acac with many years of environmental services and management experience. Says T.J., who’s also a father of 3, himself, and an avid bowler, “I look forward to making a difference!” Be sure to say hello and introduce yourself, when you see him. Welcome to acac, T.J.!
From a SP member:
“Just wanted to share a compliment for Julie Donathan’s Thursday routine. First, she had the moves posted. The teacher in me appreciates that. The short 30 second moves kept the pace and the music was fun. We were moving the whole time.”
Here’s dynamic duo, Julie (mentioned above) and her pool partner, Steffanie, showing them how it’s done, in the recent WATERinMOTION launch! “Splash ON, Team!”
Zoo Party
It looked a bit like a Disney movie with all the animal characters in attendance at the Kids Zone crew’s Zoo Party. Another stellar night of fun from the team, that continually earns rave reviews from our members on Medallia.
Pies in the Sky
If you missed the Pie the PT rooftop event and fundraiser, it was quite a spectacle and a weather-perfect night! Trainers, Ed, Caroline, Jenny, Zach and Leo, led by PT Director, Lisa S., took one (or two) for the team and for their own charitable causes, raising not only spirits but over $2000 in donations. “Not bad for a few hours work!” said Lisa! I’ll say! Here are a few of the pie-lights.
(Only fitness professionals participated as live targets and none, that we know of, were harmed during this event)
We’ve Got Game
We were a little over midway through our former member referral month and our goal, when the membership team did their part with this pitch ‘n play on the Group Ex level. Check out member Chip and his solid form, which earned him a raffle ticket for a free month.
Rooftop Trivia Game Night
Pool Deep Cleaning at Short Pump
Short Pump Wedding Anniversary
Our own Ike P. and his lovely wife Vickie just celebrated their 49th wedding anniversary! Congrats, you two, and many more happy years together! Ike, who recently just turned 73 years young, works at acac as a personal trainer, MOD and fitness specialist.
Wild-Wild West Night!
Cookies for Kids’ Cancer
The annual Cookies for Kids’ Cancer bake sale took place September 8th at both Short Pump and Midlothian; together, acac Richmond raised over $7,000! All proceeds go to pediatric cancer research.
Legacy Cup
Teams from Midlothian and Short Pump competed in the Legacy Cup Games – what fun!
Midlothian
Friendly Friday Fun
Friendly Fridays were a hit once again. Wendy and Vicki hosted some fun nights with Michael and the Café Team knocking it out of the park, offering some awesome menu items paired with the themes. The lines were long yet fast and families had a blast!
Congrats to the Dolphins
Swim Team had another successful season led by Gwen and the Coaches, staying undefeated and winning Champs once again. Kellie made sure we stayed organized so our many swimmers and their families could enjoy the event. Here’s the team getting hype with their pre-meet chant. “We are the Dolphins. Couldn’t be prouder. If you can’t HEAR US YELL A LITTLE LOUDER!!!!
Testimonial from a summer camp parent:
“Good morning, FIRST OF ALLLLLL 🙂 The fact that my child came RUNNING to my car yesterday evening yelling, THIS IS SO MUCH FUN!!!! HAHAHA!! Best day ever!! I know you have MANY kiddos at camp this year, but your counselors really went above and beyond to make her feel VERY special and loved. She jumped up this morning, excited to go back again. So THANK YOU so much!!! As a working mom, I sometimes feel guilty in the summer making her get up early, etc… So the fact that she is so happy and was pushing ME out the door this morning, saying you guys were “waiting for her” ….really is simply AWESOME!!!”
Timonium
Outdoor Cycle Event
Cheryl and Joaquin take cycling outdoors. This is #2 Outdoor Cycle Ride for members – 17 miles on the NCR Trail!
Ravens Pride!!
Ashley and Nurse Steve putting up lights for Purple Fridays (Ravens)
Pool Time
A Helping Hand
Trainer Julie H. helps a member by escorting her around the club.
Albemarle Square
Celebrity Visit
Celebrity trainer Chris Powell visited Albemarle Square in August. Chris is well known for his Ultimate Weight Loss Challenge television show a few years ago. The reason for his visit? Our own member, Dana Wilson won the Weight Loss Challenge on his APP, dropping 75 lbs. in 15 months. Part of her reward was a visit and workout with Chris, who flew in from Arizona. Chris and Dana are wonderful people, truly invested in the experience. We are lucky to have Dana with us along with a visit from Chris. Please congratulate her if you see her – she is so appreciative of acac!
AS Pool resurfacing – WOW!
Happy Birthday to You!
Member Services team member, Dom, Celebrated his 21st birthday the acac Way!
Only 2 days after brain surgery, Jimmy Casella came to the club greet his acac family
From Albemarle Square spin instructor Turk Hull:
“In regards to your email about pics that bring smiles…Here’s a little something that brings a smile to my face…one of our members, Marilyn Owens, made it to all 3 of my spin classes last week!! She is such an inspiration and a lot of fun to have in class! I wanted to recognize her efforts so we celebrated her accomplishment today in class!”
Team visiting AS Facilities Director Jonathan Miller after shoulder surgery
Downtown
Facilities Director Daniel Gumm lending a hand in Kids Zone
End of summer rooftop party!
Finally from Timonium James Ray’s newly adopted dog, Niko is our pet of the month….looks like a pretty fierce little man!
