Estrella Mountain Community College’s (EMCC) Fitness Center began offering one class at Agua Fria High School in 1991, before the college campus even opened. In 1992, when a physical college was built, a small Estrella Mountain Fitness Center offered community members the only fitness option in the Avondale area. On Saturday, September 18, Estrella Mountain Community College’s Fitness Center will celebrate its past, present and future with its Re-Grand Opening event from 9:00 a.m. – noon. The Center has been remodeled and has unveiled “Reshaping Fitness,” a new approach to fitness with new membership structures available to the community, students, faculty, and staff.
Seventy-seven-year-old Robert Vehock has been working out at the Estrella Mountain Fitness Center for the last 18 years. “I’m the only original Fitness Center member,” he said. Vehock began working out at the college’s Fitness Center in 1992 when the college opened and still works out every day. “There’s always someone there to greet you and to help you with anything you need. It’s a great environment and they have all the equipment that works for me and my body,” he said.
Vehock and other long-time members of the Fitness Center will be honored at the Re-Grand Opening event, September 18.
Re-Grand Opening activities will begin Thursday, September 16 from 4:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. with group exercise classes which will be free for community members and students to attend or watch. The celebration will continue for the main event on Saturday, September 18, 9:00 a.m. – noon. The September 18 event will include group exercise classes and booths exploring the variety of programs available at the Estrella Mountain Fitness Center, such as Zumba, Boot Camp, Yoga, Pilates, Martial Arts, and more. Healthy snacks and wellness checks of glucose and cholesterol will be provided. Other special features include the Goodyear Fire Department providing car seat safety checks, Farmer’s Insurance doing Digital ID storage for children, the Arizona Army National Guard providing fitness challenges, as well as education from the American Heart Association and the Susan G. Komen Foundation. These events are free and open to the public.
Estrella Mountain Community College’s Fitness Center aims to provide members with a well-rounded experience, from motivational and wellness programs, to personal wellness checks and being able to consult with a fitness instructor, so you get the most from your experience.
The Center’s new “Reshaping Fitness” membership options are listed below:
Annual fitness: $299/year
Trimester fitness: $119/4 months
Monthly fees: $39/month
EMCC Student fitness (12+ credit students): $29/semester
EMCC Student fitness (3-11 credit students): $49/semester
For additional information, please contact EMCC’s Fitness Center Manager, Lyle Bartelt, at 623-935-8405.