Bella Vista City Guide

One type of amenity in Bella Vista is gaining in popularity and the POA is responding. ere are three fitness centers in various POA buildings, but the one at Riordan Hall is currently closed for remodeling. Riordan Hall closed in September 2022 and the project is expected to take about one year. It will be worth the wait, Recreation Director Joan Glubczynski said. "It's dependent on supply chain issues," Glubczynski said about the timeline. "e construction part isn't a problem." From the outside, the building won't look very different. An addition on the le side will balance a much older addition on the right and the front entrance will be uncovered. e fitness center will move into that new addition with a lot of new equipment and an expanded space for free weights. Some of the equipment that moved out of the center has been sent to the other fitness centers, but some of it was too old, Glubczynski said. "A lot was out of date and not the most ergonomically correct equipment," she explained. When the Center reopens, about one third of the equipment will be reused so two thirds will be new. Some of the new equipment was inspired by the Cross Fit movement, she said. But while Cross Fit makes use of items not meant for exercise, like car tires, the equipment that goes into the Riordan Fitness Center is designed to be very safe. People with an activity card will be able to get into the fitness center even when Riordan Hall is closed, she said, although that access will be limited to adults. e auditorium is the highest utilized room, Glubczynski said, and the footprint will remain. e stage will be replaced by a much needed storage area and a portable stage. e original built-in stage did not get enough use, she explained. e floor will be replaced multipurpose flooring so it can be used for large exercise classes as well as dance classes and town hall meetings. e lines for Pickleball courts will be built in and portable nets will be available. A small, portable basketball goal will be added. ere will also be meeting rooms around the auditorium. Since it is a major renovation, everything about the building will be brought up to code, she said. at includes adding some much needed restrooms. e pool complex in front of Riordan will not be affected by the renovations and should be open as usual this summer. When Riordan reopens, the POA will celebrate the building's 50th anniversary. e other two fitness centers are located at the Metfield Clubhouse and the Branchwood Clubhouse. Branchwood, which contains the POA's only indoor pool, was renovated and reopened in 2018. e new fitness room in that facility was an addition with lots of windows letting in lots of light. ere is also a large room for exercise classes and with Riordan closed, several exercise classes moved to Branchwood. ere are still small handball courts on the lower level that can be used for handball, racquetball or pickle ball. Outside at Branchwood there is a playground and several brand new pickle ball courts. At Metfield, the fitness center moved into what was once the restaurant space. ere's still a large room that can be used for fitness classes or large group meetings. Like Riordan, Metfield has a pool but it's not immediately outside the clubhouse. Just down the street, in the park that houses the pool, there is a basketball court and pickle ball courts as well as a playground. Improved fitness center under construction | By Lynn Atkins, Special to Bella Vista City Guide Fitness Centers, like this one at Branchwood, are a well used amenity for the Bella Vista POA. Photo courtesy of the BVPOA Although it is now closed for remodeling, the fitness center at Riordan Hall will be busy when it reopens with a lot of new equpment. Photo courtesy of Lynn Atkins 28 | 2023 Bella Vista City Guide

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