The Clinton County/Albany Twin Lakes Family Wellness Center had its second anniversary on March 16, and has entered it’s third year of operation for 2013.

Board of Directors Chairperson Bobby Grant, has been with the organization since the beginning and has seen it through all the stages.

Two years ago, more than 600 people walked through the facility during the first week to get a glimpse of the Wellness Center. Last year, they celebrated their 1,000th active member and with activities planned almost every night of the week, the success of the Wellness Center will continue to grow.

“This is nine years in the making … It’s great to be starting in our third year and we are looking forward to many more years. I hope it is an attraction for our community that will help businesses and the community, schools, family … anyone and everyone can be a part of it if they desire,” Grant said. “We are all in this together and I’m glad to be a part of it … I’m proud of our employees and they are working hard. We are all united and determined that the Wellness Center will be here for many, many years.”

Although the Wellness Center has seen some great times, it has also had its share of tough times as well.

Recently, Pam Ostertag stepped down from her position as Wellness Center Director and the facility has had furnace and electrical problems in recent months, but Grant assured the NEWS that a plan was being looked at in order to get the facility in 100 percent working order.

“We’ve been through some pretty rough times, but none of this is due to anything but mechanical and electrical issues and it has just costed us money that we didn’t account for,” Grant said.

Grant said he can now see the end of their problems. The Wellness Center has had help in recent weeks in order to get the heat back on and electrical problems solved.

“We lease the building, we don’t own the building, and these are things we have been discussing for more than a year and finally we have someone who has been advising us and I think we now have it all figured out. It’s been amazing during the past few weeks the amount of support we have received,” Grant said. “We’ve got an analysis on the heating at no expense to us. They feel like the Wellness Center is good for our county and the counties around us. They want to get us to the place where these aren’t our problems anymore. It takes time to work through these things. I’m beginning to see light at the end of the tunnel. I had a great number of people, many not belonging to the center and have made comments about how great the center is. I can’t say enough about those who have contributed and come to the front to help us.”

Two years ago, Grant said in an interview, that the utilities would be the main obstacle to overcome.

“The biggest hurdle we will face now is keeping up with our utilities, funding for programs, employee funding, which most of our employees will be part time, but the quicker we grow our membership, the more we will be able to do and the more we will be able to sustain ourselves,” Grant said two years ago.

The Twin Lakes Family Wellness Center has inserted itself in several activities in the community, including little league soccer and basketball.

In recent weeks, the staff at the Twin Lakes Family Wellness Center asked members to write a testimonial on their thoughts about the facility.

In one of the written testimonies collected, membert Don Girvin wrote:

“I have been in several fitness clubs from Ohio to Texas over the years, but the one in Albany is the nicest, cleanest and most inviting facility of them all. As you enter the building you are greeted by an open area that is visually appealing and the staff soon gets to know you personally, making you feel welcome.

“The equipment is the most advanced available and I especially like the fact that the aerobics equipment each has its own TV so you can watch what you want while you work out. They even have connections for earphones, iPods and chargers. There is a large pool used for water aerobics, swimming lessons and exercise, plus fun slides for the kids and locker rooms with showers for changing clothes.

“Membership fees are very reasonable as compared to other cities and for the year 2013 joining fees are being waived. Family memberships and a program called Silver Sneakers (medicare program) help to reduce out of pocket expenses. Dues can be debited from your checking account or credit card and of course, there are other payment methods available. Some local businesses have helped defray costs in the past and annual donation/membership drives can bring in funds to keep fees low and affordable to all income levels.

“Certainly one of the best things about being a member is meeting new friends and catching up on all of the local news in town. Because this facility belongs to the community, there are opportunities to volunteer to teach different exercise classes. My wife teaches water aerobics and dancercize, while others teach cycling, pilates/yoga and zumba. All of which are free or at a very reasonable cost to members.”

Grant said the testimony like the one above is just a sample of what people have been saying about the Wellness Center.

“That’s what we need. We need community support and people to step forward and show their support for something that is good for our community,” Grant said. “We are very fortunate to have this. We’ve had some glitches. Not many companies just starting up don’t have problems. I have a wonderful board and for nine years we have worked tirelessly on this project. We are not going to close. We have scratched and pinched and prayed and now people are coming to the front and helping us and that is wonderful.”

With the beginning of the third year, Grant said the outcome of the Wellness Center is looking very bright.

“We are starting our third year and we have people coming in everyday wanting to join. I’m as encouraged as I’ve ever been through this whole process. I think we are on the verge of much brighter days. We encourage people to come out and take a tour of the facility,” Grant said. “I want to thank the people of Clinton County who have stood by, prayed for us and gave us donations. We are just volunteers. We don’t draw anything for payment as board members … we have put in our time because it’s a great thing to have in our community … I can’t thank the people of Clinton County enough.”