Stone Creek Club & Spa in Covington, Louisiana, has added a new amenity for members: The Fitness Trail, an outdoor track that wraps around the club’s campus and features the best elements of the Louisiana outdoors.
After months of planning and construction, the Fitness Trail was completed back in December, and has already drawn rave reviews from members. While tracks aren’t your first thought when discussing club amenities, a scenic running and walking trail can provide added value to your club’s offerings.
To get more insight on this cutting-edge track, Club Solutions spoke with Marvin Gresse, the assistant general manager at Stone Creek, about the completion of the Fitness Trail and what it will mean for the club’s membership.
CS: Why did you decide to add the Fitness Trail?
MG: Outdoor workouts are growing by leaps and bounds in the marketplace. The physical and emotional benefits of fitness outdoors is evident in the many studies and professional information available. Our club is on a 24-acre campus with lush landscaping and ponds with water features — it made sense to capitalize on that space and put the Fitness Trail around our campus. Members can enjoy bright open spaces with sunlight, and transition to a tree-covered canopy with shade as they make their way around the trail. They can also enjoy the lush landscaping that goes from neat, fresh seasonal plantings to the natural indigenous plantings of southeast Louisiana and water lilies along the tranquil pond.
CS: What will this amenity mean for your membership?
MG: It gives an opportunity to step outside and change things up. A weekend triathlete can sprint and get in an agility workout, a group of seniors can take a leisurely stroll, a mom can warm up before a group fitness class, a member can get in their steps with a couple quick laps, families can walk or jog together and get in their workout while getting some fresh air, and a member that has had a hectic day can decompress with a brisk walk or jog.
CS: What challenges did you face in planning and construction?
MG: We planned well with our civil engineer and construction team, but there were a couple challenges. Access and logistics were one — we wanted to minimize disruption to members, as well as the impact to the existing landscaping and environment. We also had a few weather delays with rain, and the site held water at times in the winter as we went through construction. However, it was worth the wait and the delays, as members were jumping at the chance to try out the Fitness Trail.
CS: Are your members excited?
MG: They are beyond excited. It is really great to see members of all ages and fitness abilities using the trail throughout the day. It brings the campus to life to see activity on all corners of the property, not just on the cardio floor and studios. In the future, we plan on enhancing the trail over time with fitness and stretching stations, benches, and other amenities that will enhance the member experience. We are waiting to see what the interests of members will be, and we will answer that with additions to meet and exceed their interests.
Our motto at Stone Creek is “Your Everyday Getaway.” We feel the Fitness Trail adds another layer to our members getting outside our walls to feel the outdoors, nature around them and the elements. It can enhance their workout and wellbeing.
Check out some photos and a video of the newly completed Fitness Trail:
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Bobby is the former assistant editor of Club Solutions Magazine.
