Arborg residents now have a place to work out any time of day, with the opening of a new 24-hour fitness centre in the community’s downtown core.
The fitness centre, located in the former Little Elska space, offers members around-the-clock access to workout equipment using key-fob entry
Active Arborg Fitness opened at 365 Main St., in the former Little Elska space, after local resident Stephanie Dueck turned a personal hesitation about moving home into a new business venture.
Dueck said the idea took shape when she realized the lack of a gym in Arborg was one of the few things holding her back from returning to the community.
“Shortly after starting my schooling, I felt I needed to get out and do something — and that was going to the gym,” she said. “I absolutely loved it. The gym community was so incredible. There was no judgment in the atmosphere and I felt at home there. The idea of moving back to Arborg and leaving the gym behind made me sad. I love Arborg and knew a gym is something the community needed.”
The fitness centre offers members access to more than 20 pieces of workout equipment and operates 24 hours a day using key-fob entry.
“I want the gym to be accessible — and, to me, that means being available every hour of the day so people can come and work out whenever they please,” Dueck said. “I want to see early-morning workers come for a quick session before work. I want to see beginners working alongside experienced people. It is my goal for this to be a safe, welcoming and accessible place for all, no matter the schedule, age or ability.”
Dueck said entrepreneurship was not always part of her plan, but her time studying business at Red River College proved transformative, particularly during the pandemic.
“Life stopped at the exact time I was ready to launch into adulthood. Business school with Red River College brought me to the other side — the idea of going back to school restarted my life,” she said.
Memberships are available on monthly, bi-annual and annual terms, with purchases currently made at the front desk. Digital options are expected to be added in the future. Dueck said she is still finalizing logistics related to allowing minors to hold memberships.
While she is currently the gym’s sole employee, Dueck said she hopes to eventually offer personal training sessions or fitness classes and is open to partnering with trainers or contracting space for instructors.
Gift-certificate memberships are also available, allowing buyers to pre-pay for one month of access. Recipients receive a bar-code membership card valid for a 30-day period.
More information, including updates and announcements, is being shared through the Active Arborg Fitness Facebook and Instagram pages.
Dueck credited the support of friends and family for helping bring the project to life.
“My entire family has been so supportive and I definitely couldn’t have gotten this far without them,” she said. “I have been able to lean on them throughout this journey and they have all done a great job of just being there for me.”
