Beads of sweat in Odyssey Health & Fitness will now fall in a bigger and brighter space, following the completion of a year-long renovation.
The gym, located on 6625 Sooke Road, has doubled in size from 3,000 to 6,000 sq. feet. The cost was approximately $110,000.
According to Rachel Dyer, one of the owners, the change rooms were completely redone, new cardio and weight room equipment was added, a proper reception desk was set up and laminate flooring was installed.
Located downstairs is the weight room and fitness room, where group classes are held.
“We did quite a major renovation,” Dyer said.
Aside from completing finishing touches like adding trimming, the renovation was completed in August.
The expansion occurred after a neighbouring business left the building.
“We took over the spot next door and just took part of the wall down. It was great that they were right next to us, so that when the time came we were able to do all this,” Dyer said.
Although the cost of renovations went over-budget due to unforeseen problems with plumbing and a wall on the lower level, Dyer said the new and improved atmosphere was, “worth every single penny.”
“It’s so much better, it’s so much brighter. Obviously there’s a lot more room, which is a big, big thing,” she said.
“It’s been just positive feedback from members and people who have come into join who may have come in and looked at the club before.”
The revamped gym will be accompanied with a name change to Sooke Health and Fitness.
Dyer said the name change -- which is actually a reversion to the gym’s legal name -- was prompted by a change in ownership and desire to have “Sooke” in the brand.
Members will still have access to the Odyssey Health & Fitness in Victoria and vice versa.
To introduce the improved facility, there will be a Grand Reopening and Members’ Appreciation event on Sept. 22 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. There will be kids’ activities, contests and prizes and free food and refreshments.