Shortly after Brian Ramakko's 85-year-old mother moved to Finlandia Village, she fell and broke a bone in her pelvis.
After her recovery, she started to visit Finlandia's new Seniors Gym and Fitness Centre and quickly improved her stability.
“With this gym, after three weeks, there was a noticeable difference,” Ramakko said. “She had a pop to her step, was more stable — still using her walker, but much more confident walking.”
She now goes to the gym every day, and hasn't had a fall since.
The Finlandia Seniors Gym and Fitness Centre celebrated its first year Tuesday by marking a number of milestone accomplishments.
The Finlandia SISU Charitable Foundation's capital campaign for the gym concluded more than a year ahead of schedule and raised $550,000 for the facility. The initial goal was to fundraise $450,000 to build the gym.
“The response from our community has been overwhelming and outstanding,” said Patricia Clizia, executive director of the Finlandia SISU Charitable Foundation.
The gym, which is open to any aged 55 and older, now counts more than 700 members.
Membership is only $20 a year, and grants people access to specialized senior-friendly equipment and daily classes.
The facility also includes a pool, which costs $4 per day to use, and helps cover the costs of the operation.
“The impact we're having on their lives is great,” Clizia added.
