FITNESS FANATIC BEHIND RISE OF RIVERSIDE CLUB
The Riverside Club has been in business for the past 35 years in the space between the two condominium towers at Point Mckay at the bottom of Shaganappi Trail N.W.
It was opened primarily as an added attraction for people living in the 296 units in the apartment towers, but after they were sold as condominiums the club opened its doors to other members.
Built by Beca International, which was responsible for the entire development, it has flourished into one of the top clubs in the city thanks largely due to the direction of Vicky Shields who was hired as general manager 12 years ago.
Shields has been a fitness fanatic since beginning her career 25 years ago at the Calgary Winter Club and the former Executive Club located in London House, followed by time spent helping members at the Bankers Hall Club. Then it was a break to work in the travel industry, which took her on adventure tours of Vietnam, Indonesia, Ecuador, Kenya, Tanzania and Egypt.
Working with Sportsworld Travel also took her to Atlanta during the 1996 Olympic Games. The company was the Canadian ticket and tour operator and while the Games were on Shields acted as the concierge for the Canadian Olympic Association’s sponsorship program in the host city.
After taking time off to give birth to her daughter, she returned to the fitness industry when asked to join the Riverside Club. In her role as general manager, she has overseen renovations, changed the focus and built it up to a full-service fitness club with 525 adult members as well as evolving into a true health and wellness centre providing a well-balanced approach to healthy living.
Major changes included closing the squash courts and restaurant, making way for more fitness areas and to welcome five different companies that benefit from leasing space at the club.
Club members have use of well-equipped fitness rooms for exercise, yoga and private workouts ( both co-ed and women’s only), cardio theatre, weight room and access to six of the finest professional personal trainers in the city.
The 12.5-metre salt water pool is kept at 30 C and the indoor tennis courts have soft surfaces, particularly appreciated by senior players.
The club membership is made up primarily of people in the 40-plus age bracket who enjoy the relaxed, friendly, non-intimidating atmosphere where they can concentrate on achieving fitness goals without loud music and other irritants.
Since being at the club, Shields has got to know many of the members well, many having built relationships with each other like those who participate in the three-times-weekly Gentle Fit classes that have been running for over 25 years.
Riverside Golf Centre is one of the tenants that are a really good fit, offering six golf simulators, a short-game area for putting, chipping and sand trap practice, a large driving range and private instruction under CPGA golf professional Robert McLeay, the centre’s head teaching professional.
The Riverside Spa is recognized as one of the leading Calgary spas with an exceptional team of registered massage therapists and experienced estheticians working in a wellappointed, relaxed atmosphere.
Riverside Sports Therapy offers chiropractic, laser therapy, physiotherapy, medical acupuncture and athletic therapy by elite performers committed to rehabilitating acute or chronic sports injuries.
Other offices in the Riverside Club, including a family doctor and Terra Vision Care, complement the healthy offerings available to people who are keen to take good care of their vigour and vitality.
Shields works hard in overseeing the running of the whole club, ensuring members have an optimal experience in achieving their health and fitness goals.
Brandon Mullen is really passionate about converting people into lovers of healthy foods and has opened another Jusu Bar in the Ghitter Block, just a couple of doors west of Elbow Room on the corner of Elbow Drive and 49th Avenue S.W.
There are currently four locations in Victoria, one in Vancouver, and the Britannia location is No. 5 in Calgary.