Greate Bay acquires Mainland Fitness

Dec, 01-2009 4:29 pm

By SHAUN SMITH
Staff Writer

SOMERS POINT – Over Thanksgiving weekend, Mainland Fitness was merged into Greate Bay Racquet and Fitness here, doubling Greate Bay’s exercise facilities.

According to Ed Shrader, general manager of Greate Bay, the acquisition gives the facility on Somers Point-Mays Landing road a total of 20,000 square feet of workout space and more than 80 pieces of cardio equipment, and has expanded it class offerings to 50.

“They accepted an invitation to join our team,” Shrader said Tuesday, Dec. 1. “They wanted to keep their trainers and equipment, and they wanted to stay together. They are a tight-knit group of people, and we had the space and were able to move quickly. It’s a real win-win situation.”

He said the two businesses began talking Tuesday, Nov. 24 and by Thanksgiving a plan was in place to begin moving the equipment Friday, Nov. 27.

Before the acquisition, the facility had three tennis courts. The one on the right side of the building next to the fitness center has been converted to a fitness room.

That leaves two of the original four tennis courts remaining (one was converted into the fitness center a number of years ago), along with four squash courts.

“We didn’t get rid of anything we had. We effectively doubled the size and equipment,” Shrader said. “It’s obviously a major upgrade to the club.”

All 20 employees of Mainland Fitness are now employed by Greate Bay Racquet and Fitness, bringing the total staff to 55, he said.

“Mainland was known for their classes and trainers, and everything is as it was last week,” Shrader said. “We right now are running the entire Mainland group exercise program in one part of the club, and running the Greate Bay group exercise program in another part.”

He said the classes would be merged in the coming weeks.

“We were all willing to put a deal together, put the members in a position they can stay with their trainers and their friends,” he said.

For information call (609) 926-9550 or see www.greatebayracquetandfitness.com.

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