Surrey Sport and Leisure Complex
by author Lucretia Schanfarber

Within a few moments of meeting Margie Ayers, you recognize something special about her. She's the kind of person who can be anything she wants to be, do anything she sets her mind to. Highly motivated, personable and a natural born leader, Margie is on a career path doing what she loves to do most- helping people realize their fitness goals.

As fitness supervisor at Surrey Sport and Leisure Complex (SSLC) in Surrey, BC, Margie is a daily witness to the difference that recreational sports and fitness facilities make to the life of a community.

Community Diversity

Margie's enthusiasm about community fitness is palpable. It's easy to hear the pride in her voice as she reflects on the ethnic and social diversity of the community.

Margie describes the atmosphere: "Through exercise and recreation, people from all walks of life are becoming friends and having fun together. There is definitely an integrated community support system growing here. People encourage each other and acknowledge one another's efforts."

People at all fitness levels come together at SSLC. It's not unusual to see a fitness beginner pedalling a stationary exercise bike next to an elite athlete training for their next ultra-marathon.

Real People, Real Success

Personal fitness success stories with before and after photos are pinned up on a community board in the rec centre. Margie explains that being featured on this board imparts a kind of local celebrity status.

"It's so inspiring to see the changes in people. Many people start out coming here only to swim in our Olympic-sized pool. But then they see other people, just like them, working out in the weight room and they think 'I'm going to try that, too,' and before you know it, they have added weight training and aerobics to their fitness routine," says Margie.

Family Fitness

The welcoming atmosphere of the Surrey Sport and Leisure Complex is especially inviting to families. Family-friendly rates make it possible for the whole family to enjoy everything the rec centre has to offer, including the pool, arena, gym, and fitness centre. In the warmer months, qualified instructors also lead hikes and other outdoor activities.

Inner Fitness

It's not just changes in the way people look that Margie's so happy to see. She's just as delighted to observe the more personal transformations that take place.

Margie has seen shy people gain more than muscle mass and lose more than a bulging midriff. While building a better body, Margie notices they are also building up their self-confidence and exercising their social skills.

Getting started is easy at Surrey Sport and Leisure Complex and at any other leisure recreation group facility. Here's why:

1. No initiation fees
2. Affordable admission
3. Admission includes:

• free weight room orientation
• 10,000-sq. ft. weight room
• drop-in group fitness including indoor spinning and land aerobics
• aqua-fit classes
• 50 metre Olympic-size pool
• hot tub, sauna, steam room

As part of the alive magazine Life Makeover series (click here  to read all about it), Rob Klettke is receiving fitness instruction at Surrey Sport and Leisure Complex.

For detailed information on Surrey Sport and Leisure Complex and other leisure recreation group locations, visit leisurerecgroup.com.

Lucretia Schanfarber is a BC writer

Source: alive Web Exclusive, April 2007