In this episode of C+RB’s video series, General Manager/COO Larry Savvides and Director of Membership Marie Mitchalk describe how the Delray Beach, Fla. club pivoted after the onset of the pandemic to make innovative use of its new Fitness and Wellness Centers, which opened in September 2019, to maintain full interaction with members while limitations were imposed for on-site use. “It’s so easy to get disconnected from bricks and mortar,” says Savvides. “But by using video and other new ideas such as outdoor boot camps and aquaboard yoga, we’ve been able to keep members fully engaged.”
“The Road Back” video series from Club + Resort Business provides fresh insights into how club and resort properties are meeting the challenges posed by the pandemic and finding new and innovative ways to boost business levels and start their return to full operation.
When Mizner Country Club in Delray Beach, Fla. unveiled its $22 million Lifestyle Center in September 2019, the club had no idea that a pandemic was about to rock the world.
In this episode of C+RB’s video series, Larry Savvides, General Manager/COO, and Director of Membership Marie Mitchalk describe how the new Fitness and Wellness Centers created through the Lifestyle Center project have proved essential in helping the club adjust its programming and services to meet the radically changed ways in which its staff would now need to interact with members.
To keep everyone safe who did come on site to use the fitness center, the club installed a touchless unit that automatically takes temperatures, and portable sinks so members and staff can wash their hands prior to and after interacting with equipment. Mizner also installed plasma-ionization units in its HVAC systems that are designed to eradicate COVID in the air, and purchased electrostatic sanitizers to spray all equipment after each use.
While Florida allows exercising in fitness centers without wearing masks, Mizner knew some if its members wouldn’t be comfortable in that setting. To remedy that, the club set aside the hours between noon and 2 p.m. that make masks mandatory for all.
As alternatives to still working out inside, Mizner also ramped up a full slate of video programming and new fresh-air exercise options, including outdoor boot camps, aqua classes and aquaboard yoga.
“It’s so easy to get disconnected from bricks and mortar [because of the pandemic],” says Savvides. “But by using video and other new ideas, we’ve been able to keep members fully engaged—even the seasonal members who haven’t yet come on site.”
(Viewing time: 14 minutes)
Previous episodes of “The Road Back” can be viewed at https://clubandresortbusiness.com/category/the-road-back/
Upcoming episodes will feature a club’s successful new introduction of a restaurant that opened in the early stages of the pandemic, and how another club is proceeding with a multimillion-dollar facilities improvement plan despite the hurdles posed by limits on its operation.
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