“After the work was done, members knew the contractors’ names. Sessions were spiked with pizza.īesides hitting the budget “on the penny,” DeLuca complimented BCM Construction of Chico. In doing the expansions and improvements, he asked the construction company to participate in a “service training” so construction would be the least impactful to his members and workers were respectful. He wants club members to feel welcome and their requests met supportively.Įven those who do business with Fit One feel the DeLuca touch. He attributes the club’s growth and success to his staff, who are carefully chosen for their drive and friendliness. Members will be able to use other Fit One facilities free of charge.īut DeLuca is clear about priorities. Do it small and slow, and not lose the service factor.” “Within six months, they’ll see several hundred thousand dollars in upgrades,” DeLuca said.Īt one time, DeLuca was looking to open a club in Susanville, but decided against it. The two are buying the club from current owner Mark Lewis, with a May 1 expected closure.Įxpansions there include new personnel for the day spa, new equipment and the introduction of Fit One’s family of programs. Partnering with him is Chico’s Gary Bright, who at one time owned the three Kangaroo Kourt clubs in the valley, including Redding. Recently, DeLuca announced the purchase of the former Kangaroo Kourts club in Redding, now called Trends. With the Chico club changes, about $100,000 in Americans With Disabilities Act improvements were also triggered. DeLuca estimates his current program attracts up to 400 youngsters a year, and hopes to have the kids’ facility done for the coming season.Īs part of his community give-back philosophy, DeLuca also provided fitness equipment to the Girls and Boys Club of the North Valley. Youth lessons are a growing area for both clubs. Already the club has a three-lane lap pool, aerobics pool and non-chlorinated Jacuzzi. Access to the Internet using locally owned Digital Path has been added to Chico’s Fit One.ĭeLuca’s plans for the Chico facility this year are focusing on a new $2.2 million aquatic expansion that includes an eight-lane lap pool and a youth aquatic center. Planning is now under way for the next step, which includes a $500,000 expansion with new basketball and pool facilities.Īmong the more unusual services for the area is Fit One’s “concierge” service in which members can tap services such as dry cleaning, a car wash or dinner reservations while they work out. In updating the Paradise club amenities, some of the worn but usable and safe equipment was donated to Paradise High School. Over a five-month stretch, the club experienced a net growth of more than 500 memberships.ĭeLuca notes that with baby boomers entering retirement healthier than past generations, growth in services for active older members can be expected. There are young families in Paradise, expansions in Magalia,” DeLuca said. SBA funding helped DeLuca purchase and improve the club. Small Business Administration as the 2003 small business person of the year for the Sacramento region. It was allowed to get sleepy,” said DeLuca, who with his wife Heather was recognized by the U.S. Recently he said membership has grown by 200 percent. About $120,000 in upgrades have been put into the ridge facility, and the staff of 30 has been increased to 70. While Beyond Fitness opened a new, competing club on the ridge, DeLuca concentrated on serving seniors, families and youngsters. At one time, the Paradise Unified School District considered buying it, but backtracked. Last August, he purchased what was Sporthaven health club in Paradise, which for years was the only one on the ridge. About a year ago, he changed the exterior, added another mezzanine area with more equipment, doubling the space of the fitness area, and set up a dedicated “spinning” area with stationary bicycles.ĭeLuca’s changes haven’t stopped.
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