Youth Fitness Center Opens at Civic Arena on Hockey Opening Day

A public-private partnership between St. Clair Shores, the St. Clair Shores Hockey Association and the St. Clair Shores Figure Skating Club led to the construction, and opening Sunday, of a new fitness center at Civic Arena.

The project, funded with more than $114,000 raised by the SCSHA and SCSFSC along with $50,000 in federal Housing and Urban Development money, converted two all-purpose rooms at the complex into a state-of-the-art fitness facility.

"This is our building as residents of St. Clair shores. We need this building to be an asset," said Shawn Nicholson, hockey association board member. "This is home to the St. Clair Shores Figure Skating Club and this is home to the St. Clair Shores Hockey Association. We are glad to improve our house and a city asset like Civic Arena." 

City, hockey and figure skating club officials said the addition of a state-of-the-art fitness facility and video room will help keep Civic Arena competitive with other facilities in the region including those in Bloomfield Hills, Macomb Township and Novi.

"The days of rows and rows of weight benches are a thing of the past," said Andy Denbass, a St. Clair Shores hockey coach, describing the new fitness facilities.

Inside the main workout room are rows of stationary bicycles, balance balls, and TRX suspension system, which according to the company's website, utilizes an athlete's body weight to "develops strength, balance, flexibility and core stability simultaneously."

"It is not just showing up at practice skating for a period of time, going back home and doing it again a few days later," said Nicholson. "It's more of a lifestyle. It is a healthy lifestyle that keeps them from not being injured and keeps them healthy for a lifetime and teaches them how to train and workout for the rest how tor train and workout for the rest of your life."

Mayor Kip Walby recognized the efforts of the all the groups working together to bring the renovation and enhancements from the drawing board to reality.

"We need to make ourselves relevant and that is what we have done with this project," Walby said. "It is a collaboration between government. We can't afford these projects if we don't collaborate together."

Donors to the project include:

• James Pangborn Family
• Duke Nelson and Family
• Ray and Kelly Barnowske and Family
• Joseph Tagliavia and Family
• Kathy Scruggs
• August Carinigi
• St. Clair Shores Hockey Association
• St. Clair Shores Figure Skating Club
• Paul A. Doppke Family
• The GTJ Foundation
• Ted B. Wahby Family
• William H. Yates III and Family
• The Stamper Family