By Joel Spears
Features Editor

SURGOINSVILLE - Months of preparation and planning by the Town of Surgoinsville and a team of volunteers is about to be put to the test as they place the final touches on a new, town-operated fitness center.
    "We plan on running a first-class gym for our residents and the community," Mayor Johnny Greer said.  "Our goal is for the center to generate money, but if we break even it would be wonderful because this is something the citizens need."
    Following an example set last year by the City of Church Hill, Greer said he and other board members, as well as numerous citizens believed it was the right time for Surgoinsville to be proactive.
    "This was a group effort from the town, Surgoinsville Medical Board, and Surgoinsville Utility District," the mayor said.
    The fitness center is located on Main Street across from city hall, in a building that also houses the town's water department.
    Mayor Greer said renovations on the fitness center were accomplished thanks in part to the utility district which made cosmetic repairs, the medical board which provided funding for items such as paint, carpet and lighting, and the Town of Surgoinsville for having purchased the exercise equipment.
    "This facility has exceeded our expectations," Greer said.  "Everybody has pitched in and done a great job."
    Alderman Joe McLain, chairman of the fitness center's organizational committee, reflected the mayor's sentiments.
    "The water department really gave us a sweetheart deal on rent for the facility and we're excited that things have came together so well.  We could not have done all this without the community's help."
    The committee that planned the fitness center consisted of McLain, as well as residents Penny Hall, Jerilynn Graham, Jennifer Jarnigan, Brad Jarnigan, and Alderman Marc Borghetti.  Various volunteers have also helped organize the center, including Jerry Hesoun who the mayor said has worked "hours an hours" preparing maintenance logs and other materials that are necessary to run the center.
    "Before the center was renovated we taped off the basement floor over at the library so we would know the exact dimensions and layout of the gym once it was finished," McLain said.  "That way, as we assembled the equipment, we knew exactly where it would go inside the fitness center."
    Mayor Greer said there will be 23 pieces of exercise equipment in the center that the town purchased from a local gym that was going out of business.
    "We were able to purchase the entire gym which was around $30,000 worth of equipment for approximately $6,000," he said.
    Also included will be two flat-screen TVs and handicapped accessible restroom facilities.  The mayor noted that Pat Murphy from Techni-Glass in Surgoinsville has donated mirrors for the walls as well.  He said he would like to include a sound system for music in the future.
    To make sure the gym is well-kept and the equipment operational the town will hire part-time attendants.
    "We plan to have one person as manager and possibly three attendants, plus volunteers to keep the gym maintained," Greer noted.
    McLain said plans are to tentatively have the facility open for business by early February and include a grand opening reception.
    "We are ready to start signing people up now though," he said.
    Cost for membership will be $20 per month for residents and $35 for individuals who live outside the town.  A one-day pass is also available for $5.
    "There is no deposit and no contract to join," McLain said.  "The membership is valid for 30 days from the day you pay your fee."
    Planned hours of operation will be Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. until 9 p.m., Saturday from 6 a.m. until 6 p.m. and closed on Sunday.
    Contractor for the project was Joe Lindsey of Lindsey Construction.
    For additional information about the fitness center, or to sign up for a membership, call (423) 345-2213.