Garden Home to unveil new fitness room at Sept. 15 grand opening

A new fitness room – the centerpiece of Garden Home Recreation Center’s summer makeover – is now complete. The new space will be unveiled to the public at a free public grand opening event on Saturday, Sept. 15, from 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Visitors are invited to enjoy free fitness activities at Garden Home (7475 SW Oleson Rd., Portland), including use of the new gym and participation in center’s “Fitness Launch.” Sample Zumba, BodyPump and willPower & grace® sessions from 10-11:30 a.m.

”Our patrons will love the changes, especially the new fitness room,” said Lindsay Bjork, center supervisor. “The new equipment is great and it’s a brighter and more spacious room, with better air circulation. It’s more conducive to a great workout.”

The new fitness room at Garden Home is nearly twice its previous size, with 1,100 square feet of additional space. The room has been furnished with new weight and cardio equipment, new flooring and mirrors, lighting and power supply improvements, and independent cooling and heating elements.

Those upgrades, and other Garden Home improvements, were funded by a $325,000 award from the City of Portland’s Bureau of Environmental Services as compensation for a maintenance project on the nearby Fanno Creek Trail.

Additional Garden Home improvements include:

• A new spring floor, upgraded new equipment and a 10-foot rock wall in the new gymnastics room.
• A new hardwood floor and new exercise equipment in the dance and exercise room.
• New storage cubbies, furniture, rugs, built-in counter/desk space, and more seating in the after-school room.

“All of these improvements will provide new and better recreational opportunities for our community members,” Bjork said. “Anyone enrolling in fitness, dance, gymnastics and after-school programs will be better served by these upgrades.”

More than 7,000 Garden Home neighbors are receiving direct mail notification of the grand opening event, which will feature door prizes, a raffle and other giveaways. Staff members will host fun fitness challenges, including “longest plank hold” and “longest wall sit.” A trainer will be on hand to demonstrate proper use of new equipment and answer fitness questions.

Garden Home Recreation Center was purchased by THPRD in 1986. The site, constructed as an elementary school in 1912, is an entry point to the historic Oregon Electric Railroad section of the Fanno Creek Trail. In addition to serving the recreation needs of THPRD patrons, the facility houses the Garden Home Community Library and the West Portland Boxing Club.

For more information about the event, or for inquiries about recreational programs and activities at Garden Home, call the center at 503/629-6341

Formed in 1955, THPRD is the largest special park district in Oregon, spanning about 50 square miles and serving more than 200,000 residents in the greater Beaverton area. The district provides year-round recreational and educational opportunities for people of all ages and abilities. Offerings include thousands of widely diverse classes, 90 park sites with recreational amenities, 60 miles of trails, eight swim centers, six recreation centers, and 1,400 acres of natural areas. For more information, visit www.thprd.org or call 503/645-6433.