By By NORMA LERNER
Niles Daily Star
CASSOPOLIS - Heavy machinery invaded the courtyard at the Cass County Council on Aging (COA) work was started this spring on the fitness room expansion and is now ready for use by seniors and the public.
Four new pieces of equipment have been added, and wheelchair clients can now go in the fitness room expansion that is 26-by-26 feet in two rooms.
The new area of the fitness room, doubled the size of what currently exists. It allows for more equipment, including state-of-the-art elliptical, stair stepper and a back extension machine.
The expansion also allows for easier access to bathrooms/showers through a new door.
The new area will maintain the current aesthetics, including the same large window to let in natural light and to provide a view for patrons.
The Council on Aging fitness room is a comfortable place to come and use exercise equipment and has been such a success that doubling the size and adding equipment was clearly important in order for the Council on Aging to meet the needs of those served, says Season Kutemeier, communications assistant.
Frank and Marion Woods of Dowagiac are the benefactors of the original Fitness Room. Their generosity is appreciated every day by the patrons, volunteers and staff who live healthier lives because of the fitness room.
The total cost of the expansion project was approximately $55,000 contracted through Makay Construction of Decatur. Anyone who is interested in contributing to the cost of the Council on Aging Fitness Room expansion, please call Kutemeier at 1-800-323-0390 or 269-445-8110.
A gift of $2,500 or more would allow one to be recognized as the donor of a specific piece of equipment with a recognition plaque affixed to one of the three sophisticated pieces of fitness equipment.
The Cass County Council on Aging is located at 60525 Decatur Road and M60 in Cassopolis.