While the weather turns cold in Virginia, NRPA staff at headquarters in Ashburn is getting warmed up inside with the facility’s new gym made possible by Precor, Inc. At the ribbon-cutting ceremony on Nov. 19, Executive Director John Thorner welcomed the Board of Trustees Executive Committee, staff and special guests that included Lifetime Trustees Charlie Hartsoe and Dean Tice, Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority (NVRPA) Executive Director Gary Fenton, former executive director for NVRPA Darrell Winslow, Board of Trustee member Joan Rokus, and former executive director of NRPA John Davis.

The fitness room was created after Tracey Ellis, advertising director for Parks & Recreation, worked with Precor to supply the equipment. The company provided two elliptical trainers, a treadmill, a recumbent bicycle and a multi-station strength training machine. The room’s construction and renovation was made possible through a gift made by the Meyr family in memory of their daughter, Adria Meyr.

As Thorner officially opened the Precor Fitness Room, many on staff were excited for the new benefit of having first-rate equipment in house. Jessica Pagonis, a meeting planner and new mother said, “I’m looking forward to working out and getting my weight-lifting done. It will be great–with a kid, it’s difficult to fit it in at home.”

As leaders and staff of a national association that promotes fitness and wellness through parks and recreation, Thorner thought that the fitness room would provide staff members with the opportunity to “walk the walk and talk the talk,” and thanked Precor for the generous donation that allowed NRPA to do just that.

“It was really important for NRPA and staff to convey the idea that park and recreation is a key component for the American public to maintain a healthy lifestyle,” he said. “If we were going to convey that to others, we needed to practice it ourselves.”

Lori Daniel, NRPA president said, “I think it’s wonderful for staff and sets a great example. It just goes to show that NRPA can step forward and take care of its own as well as the communities it reaches.”

The fitness room will be open during work hours for staff and members who may be visiting the facility.