The H-F Racquet & Fitness Club will be getting nearly three dozen new pieces of equipment for the facility at 2920 W. 183rd St. in Homewood.
The Homewood-Flossmoor Park District agreed to spend $100,000 on the treadmills, stair climber, weight benches, power sled, ellipticals, ski-erg, a squat machine, Smith machine, dumbbells and benches and other equipment.
Once the order is placed, it will take an estimated four weeks for the equipment to be delivered.
The club’s manager, Dan Schaffer, told the park commissioners at the July 15 meeting that he appreciated having the increase in his budget that allowed him to purchase new equipment. The park board agreed to spend down a portion of its reserves on the expense.
Schaffer said before making his proposal he met with personal trainers and full-time and part-time club staff asking for input, and he sent online surveys to club members for their input and ideas.
“A lot of what they (members) said was they felt like they were on top of each other, and things keep breaking,” Schaffer said. He hopes to avoid the equipment down time by purchasing new equipment. He believes new machines will give the park district better warranty and service agreements.
He worked with representatives from Direct Fitness Solutions, a company that helps park district staff develop a vision for their space. Schaffer got a mock layout for the fitness center. The firm also surveyed how the equipment was being used and how it impacts the club’s business.
“At lot of it was looking at things that we’re using and what’s in storage” and coming up with a better utilization of space. Schaffer said he will be removing and replacing some of the equipment, but his intention is to keep some of the old machines in storage for parts.
There also will be a new 375-square-foot artificial turf area along the windows on the east side that will be a strength building and cardio workouts area.
The board earlier approved replacing the air conditioning units at the club. Schaffer said the work will begin in the next several weeks.
