Greenville Recreation gears up for winter
Although the short snowy days of winter are upon us, the Greenville Recreation Department has all kinds of things going on inside and out that enhance staying around the area this time of year.
Sally Tornquist, Greenville Rec’s director, was waiting for me at their gym, located at the Leisure Life Resort on Lily Bay Road. The exercise equipment is situated near the back walls of the large space. As we walked near the machines, Tornquist pointed them out.
“There’s a rowing machine and a [recumbent] bike,” she said. “Then we have a machine for leg lifts, two different benches for lifting, two elliptical machines, three treadmills and a Stairmaster.” Near the Stairmaster was a Universal, with various workout stations around its center. “And, we’re getting a squat rack pretty soon.”
Observer photo/Shelagh Talbot
GREENVILLE REC GYM — Sally Tornquist, director of Greenville Rec, demonstrates a treadmill at the Rec Gym housed at Leisure Life Resort.
When asked about television availability for those on ellipticals or treadmills, Tornquist said that no one has inquired. “We could offer TV but nobody’s really asked – the people bring their own music.”
As to hours open, Tornquist said a physical therapist opens the facility at 5 a.m. during the week. “I come in around 7 a.m.,” she said. “Then we’re open until 8 p.m. and on Saturdays from 8 a.m. ’til noon. “We haven’t found anyone to be here on Sundays, if we did we would be open that day as well.” Memberships start at $15 a month, with $130 a year for anyone 14-18 years old or over 55.
Up front is a ballet or dance floor, with a large mirror for dance or exercise and two ballet barres.
Stephanie Salmi, who is with the Greenville School for the Arts, teaches ballet (featured in the October 13, 2018 edition of the Piscataquis Observer) and will be teaching Zumba during the week. Eventually she hopes to add a Pilates class. For more information, the school has a Facebook presence (Greenville School for the Arts) so you can check out what’s going on. You can reach out to them at greenvillearts@myottmail.com.
In addition to ballet, other courses are offered. “Mondays we’ll start doing Tai Chi Cha with Sherry Corbin from the Piscataquis Valley Adult Education Cooperative (PVAEC), and on Tuesdays we have ‘Walk Away the Pounds’ between 9 and 9:30 a.m. all by donation,” Tornquist said. “We just watch a video and everyone is stepping in place indoors. It’s excellent for older people because it’s a gentle exercise. Everyone who wants to come is very welcome.”
Then on Wednesdays and Fridays Jodi Ludwig leads a Yoga Class between 9 and 10 a.m. “The Friday class is for more advanced,” Tornquist observed. “Jodi’s really good. There’s lots of stretching. Bring your own mat and a little blanket when you come.”
As far as outside activities, there’s a lot going on too. Tornquist helps out on Fridays at Squaw Mountain with Dawna Blackstone, health and physical education instructor at Greenville Consolidated School. “She takes the middle school kids up to ski and those that don’t want to do that activity – I take them out snow shoeing,” said Tornquist. “That’s for four Fridays in January. Dawna’s great ‘cause she loves the outdoors and she’s terrific with the kids.”
I spoke to Blackstone who said she is excited to partner with Tornquist and Greenville Rec. “This is the time of year when kids can be extra sedentary,” she said. “We want to get them outside in the fresh air. We are also partnering with 28 other schools in the WinterKids program (www.winterkids.org). It gives us an opportunity to join with other schools in a four-week outdoor physical activity and nutrition challenge. We could even win some money for the school in the process.”
There’s also skating. “We got some skates last year from the school so Dawna’s going to do classes for the little kids up to the middle school,” Tornquist said. “We’ll use the rink – they make ice at the Skateboard Park next to Greenville School. That ice is really good now, we just have to keep shoveling all the snow off!”
Contributed photo
HAVING A (BROOM)BALL — Kids play Broomball at the Greenville Ice Rink, a collaborative program with Greenville schools and Greenville Rec.
Blackstone said they both have some fun activities on the ice planned, including broomball and ice hockey. The rink is located behind the tennis courts and will be open this winter during the week (depending on the weather and amount of snow on the ice) from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. and each Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Skates are available in some sizes.
For more information about activities with Greenville Rec, both indoors and out, contact Tornquist at 280-0990 or visit their Facebook page: Greenville Maine Recreation Center.