POA fitness centers open Thanksgiving

Bella Vistans have one more thing to be thankful for this year — a free guest day at fitness centers on Friday, courtesy of the Recreation Department.

Joan Glubzyncki, the POA's director of Recreation and Wellness, recently talked about several innovations.

For the first time this year, the POA's three fitness centers — Riordan Hall, Branchwood and Metfield — will be open for part of Thanksgiving Day. The hours at all three locations will be from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. On the following Friday, two guests per member household will be able to use the facilities for free, Glubzyncki said.

There are no fitness classes over the Thanksgiving weekend, she added.

On Monday, Nov. 28, new winter hours go into effect. Riordan will close at 9 p.m., Mondays through Thursdays, and at 6 p.m. on Fridays.

The Tennis Center at Kingsdale will have new winter hours, from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. every day. The tennis pro shop will be closed on Thanksgiving and on the following Friday, but people are welcome to use the courts, she said.

One of her goals, Glubzyncki said, is to make the facilities more consistent. There may always be some variances in hours, because of the indoor pool at Branchwood, but, when possible, she's trying to make all three fitness centers consistent.

“That's what we're focusing on to improve the members' experience. We're a big organization,” she said.

More changes will take place in January when both Riordan and Metfield will be open on Sunday, she said.

She's also working on a pilot program to provide childcare for members who

want to exercise at Riordan. Riordan is the only one of the three centers that has space for childcare, she explained. The plan is to have specific periods — in the morning and in the evening — that coincide with some of the fitness classes on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. Parents will have to remain in the building, she said, and the

staff will receive extra training. That program may also begin in January.

The Recreation Department is also responsible for several events throughout the year and Glubzyncki is spending some time evaluating each one.

Past events have been good, she said, but with a small staff and a diverse population of members,

she wants each event to be bigger and better.

For most events, her staff will partner with the marketing staff. The two teams have worked well together in the past, she said..

Christmas will see a new event, she said. Instead of a kid's carnival, there will be a concert and a chance to take a photo with Santa. It's all planned for a Sunday afternoon, she said.

The light displays around Riordan Hall will be lit on Friday, but there's no lighting ceremony planned this year.

The Easter Egg Hunt in April will move to Metfield Park and be all outdoors, she said.

“It's important to stay fresh and current,” she said.