For body and mind

Paul Bickford
Northern News Services

Fort Smith (Jan 24/05) - A new "natural" idea in fitness has taken shape in Fort Smith.

Joan's Health and Fitness Club celebrated its grand opening Jan. 8.

Owner Joan Bevington says the club is unique in the NWT: it features a juice and coffee bar, an attached greenhouse, a hot tub and a massage room.

"I want to make it a nice place to be in to make you feel better," Bevington explains. Another unique feature is that she is a trained physiotherapist who will offer exercise classes, yoga and special programming for children and elders. The club is in a building that was under renovation for about 18 months. The renovations and equipment cost about $130,000, including $10,000 in GNWT assistance. Bevington says the goal was to make the surroundings as natural as possible.

For example, people in the hot tub in the greenhouse can experience the winter's cold and look up at the Northern Lights.

Another unique touch is the gym's ceiling, which was painted by Don Harney to resemble a peaceful blue and cloud-spotted daytime sky. "The atmosphere is inspiring," says Helene Croft, while working out in the gym. "Looking at the ceiling, it's like it's alive."