What type of facility are you?
Municipal Recreation
Tell us about your business?
City of Mississauga fitness and therapeutic programs are part of the municipal recreation division. We have 13 fitness locations across the City with a variety of weight room and group exercise studios. Facilities and memberships also include squash, swimming, skating and walking tracks.
How long have you been in the fitness industry?
More than 10 years.
What attracted you to the fitness industry?
The City of Mississauga offers fitness as part of recreation offerings to appeal to the broadest interest of residents.
What made you choose to own/operate your own business?
The City of Mississauga is committed to offering fitness as part of recreation services as a community-based option for fitness facilities and programs.
What has been your greatest challenge as a businessowner/operator and how did you overcome it?
The biggest challenge faced has been promoting the quality and breadth of fitness programs and services offered along with the high standards for staff qualifications and accountability. Sometimes we’re too humble and understated for our own good!
What do you hope your member’s achieve within your facility?
Our objectives for residents are to find facilities and programs that best fit their needs along with a community connection and belongingness.
Tell us your greatest memory/highlight in your career?
One of our greatest highlights has been the development and introduction of the Therapeutic Membership and line of business. This includes many hospital partnership programs along with post-therapy focused programs – for example COPD, Strong and Steady and the Next Step to Active Living.
This membership also includes programs like Ai Chi, Therapeutic Pilates and Therapeutic yoga that creatively combine functional and post rehab type exercises with modifications to enable all levels of ability and movement to participate. These programs connect people in their community while maintaining and building strength for activities of daily living and independence.
How long have you been a Business Member?
8 – 10 years.
Have you used a business coach to better educate you and your business? If so, who?
Yes. We have the support of recreation managers and leaders along with a team of business and marketing advisors.
Do you have a favourite quote or saying you try to live by each day?
Our mission is to have more people connected more often through programs and services that reflect our community’s needs.
