Friends of Community Fitness celebrates 20 years
GUILFORD — On Thursday, June 15 Friends of Community Fitness celebrated its 20-year anniversary with a barbecue and family fun day including entertainment from the Piscataquis Ukulele Players.
How did Friends of Community Fitness begin?
Community Fitness began in the Abbie Fowler school in Sangerville. In 2003, Vitality Fitness was closing and going up for auction. A group of the members joined together to form the nonprofit Friends of Community Fitness and purchase the equipment. Founder Gayle Worden was the executive director and laid the groundwork for this community center. In 2010 Community Fitness moved to the Guilford Primary School building at 31 High Street in Guilford. They rented from the town until the building was purchased by David Clark. In 2019 Friends of Community Fitness purchased the building from the Clarks, making it a permanent home. In 2021 Worden retired and the board of directors hired Britney Gallagher.
Through these years, Community Fitness has continued to offer a wide range of programs. They promote healthy lifestyle through, providing various forms of physical exercise, social, and educational opportunities for people of all ages, and financial means.
“We wanted a fitness center to be accessible and affordable to everyone in the surrounding towns,” says board member Wendy McKenney.
TWENTY YEARS — Attending the 20th anniversary barbecue and family fun day for Friends of Community Fitness in Guilford were, from left, founding director Gayle Worden; Wendy McKenney, a founding board member; Nancy Lappert, a founding member and staff; and Allen Drew a founding board member.
What is happening now at ComFit?
In 2023 Community Fitness has 11 board members, of which two are founding members. Membership has steadily grown from roughly 100 people in 2003 to over 900 members in 2023. Community Fitness now offers over 40 programs a week free to members.
With all the growth, Community Fitness has found new ways to serve the community. In 2022 a new outdoor pickleball court was built. This year they have broken ground to expand outdoor programming. This project includes renovating the sports field to add Ultimate Frisbee, NFL Flag Football, and other sports. A walking track is being built around the sports field. The track will be level and offer a safe place for members. Lighting will be installed over the field and court allowing members to access the outdoor space early in the morning or later in the evening when temperatures are cooler. Parking is being expanded both in the front and rear of the building. This project is made possible by a grant from the Maine Community Foundation and the generous donor Ware-Butler Building Supplies.
As membership and community outreach soars, Community Fitness has set goals to expand indoor space as well. We are excited to add the new fitness studio this fall to accommodate more programs for everyone.
This year a slate sign was installed and gold leafed with the logo. The sign, lighting and landscaping was donated from Sheldon slate in Monson, member Drew Straehle, and board member Jodi Nofsinger. The old school slate sign has been donated to the Guilford Historical Society.
What is the future of Community Fitness? To commemorate our 20 year anniversary, Friends of Community Fitness has launched an endowment campaign. “Building an endowment will secure the future of Community Fitness,” says Gallagher. The board of directors has set aside $5,000 in savings and is working to raise an additional $20,000. This campaign is asking members to join the Legacy Club by contributing to the endowment savings. These contributions may be made in several different ways such as designating Community Fitness as a beneficiary on part or all of an IRA, life insurance policy or estate. Cash donations are also welcome. For more information about joining the Legacy Club, you can contact Gallagher at 207-876-4813 or comfitme2003@gmail.com.