Woodlawn Village neighborhood, fitness center opens

By Paul BelloAugust 27, 2009

Woodlawn Village neighborhood, fitness center opens
(Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

FORT BELVOIR, Va. -- Though temporary, the new neighborhood fitness center in Woodlawn Village saw rave reviews during a grand opening celebration Friday.

Community manger Julie Devine said the building took three months to finish and that it's open to residents from any village on post, not just those living at Woodlawn.

While one side features an inviting neighborhood center where people can either play Foosball or watch television, the fitness center has all the features of a major gym, including treadmills, ellipticals, exercise bikes and weight machines.

"There's something here for everyone and we're happy to have it available for residents of Fort Belvoir," Devine said.

"Our new center will not be available until 2011, so we're hoping people take advantage of this temporary center in the meantime. I don't think they'll be disappointed."

Devine said the fitness center is open from 5:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. seven days a week. Residents must be at least 16 years old to use the equipment and guests are only permitted when accompanied by a resident. The Villages at Belvoir request one guest per household.

For those interested in hosting an event at the neighborhood center, Devine said residents can stop by Woodlawn's Community Management Office to fill out a reservation form and pick up a key. An initial deposit is required, which would be returned following their scheduled occasion, Devine added. "I think it's something really nice for the community," said Glenda Casson, who stopped by with her daughter, Erica, to get a sneak peak of Woodlawn's latest addition.

"Exercise is on the minds of a lot of people and you can probably save money coming here, as opposed to somewhere else." Scott Foley, a Lewis Village resident, also thought highly of the center and its value to the community.

"I'm sure a lot of people can use the center to celebrate birthdays and things like that with their kids. That's a real bonus," he said. "The fitness center is also a nice touch. It's great to see something like this at Belvoir."