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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuron Expositor, 2016-01-27, Page 88 Huron Expositor • Wednesday, January 27, 2016 CrossFit gym grand opening Shaun Gregory Huron Expositor Endorsed together as a physical work out as well as a competitive fit- ness sport, Seaforth is the latest place to succumb to the CrossFit craze. Degree CrossFit Seaforth invited the community and surrounding areas to indulge in an all day occasion celebrating the grand opening of the recent establishment. The event fea- tured door prizes, several different speakers along with a demonstration work out for the general public to observe. Owner of Degree CrossFit Seaforth, Kaleda Connell said the fitness junc- ture was "super busy" with hundreds coming out to support her new enter- prise, an exercise thought by many to be rather difficult to devote them- selves to, due to the physicality of the work outs. "There (are) different modifica- tions for every movement, so we cater to each individual person and make sure that we don't push you too far out (of) your comfort zone," stated Connell. "It seems like it's intense and when you Google CrossFit, it's kind of scary. But that's not what we're really about, at Degree, we're about, did you get a good work out in ?" The construction process was com- pleted over a couple months time and involved the installing of a new shower, furnace and approximately 1400 square -feet of rubber flooring for the entire workout area, the vision of Connell's fitness that sparked from her garage had finally developed into factuality. This has developed into a full -lime employment opportunity for the 26 -year-old. After trying to bal- ance her previous job and the fitness, she knew she could only pick one- CrossFit it was. As her name is Contributed photo Kaleda Connell has recently opened up a CrossFit training studio in Seaforth. attached to CrossFit, the trademark comes with strict stipulations that must be adhered to. "You have to be a certified trainer, which I already was. Then you have to submit an essay to the CrossFit head- quarters" explained Connell adding that the four to six week response back had her anxious at first "It's a little bit of a process, it's a waiting game:' As soon as she found out the popu- lar fitness organization accepted her requests to be associated to the Cross - Fit regime, the most difficult part was finished and she said it paved the way to start the gym. At the present time classes are available several times throughout the day and more times will be added as Connell expands with new staff members. If you have any question pertaining the new fitness centre, call Connell at (519) 501-4198. "I want to make sure everyone leaves with a smile on their face. If they leave happy then my goal is accomplished, the thing they often say is exercise until you're happy," Connell said. ATTENTION ADVERTISERS! DEADLINES % Our Weekly Deadlines are as follows: ADVERTISING & EDITORIAL Friday @ 2:00 pm y OFFICE HOURS: Mon. - Thurs. 9am - 5pm • Fri. 8am - 4pm CLOSED TUESDAYS *on Expositor — 8 Main St., Seaforth f PH: 519-527-0240 www.seaforthhuronexpositor.com ea orth uronex s ositor.co United Way supports refugees Mike Beitz Postmedia Network The United Way Perth -Huron is funding a new initiative that will help ease the transition for newcomers and refugees in the region. A total of $5,000 will be provided to the Avon Maitland District school board's Centre for Employment and Learning (CEL) to help it increase its support role over the next three months. With the funding, the CEL will pro- vide needs assessment and referral services by increasing hours for cur- rent English as a Second Language (ESL) instructors throughout Perth and Huron counties. United Way executive director Ryan Erb said the recent arrival of Syr- ian refugees in the area only height- ens awareness of the need for such services. "It's one thing to get the refugees to come, and it's another thing to ensure they're well -supported once they're here," he said Thursday. Erb said the settlement services will enhance what's offered here by organizations like the Multicultural Association of Perth -Huron. And with CEL offices in Stratford, Listowel, Wingham, Goderich, Clin- ton, Exeter and Seaforth, the Centre is well-positioned to provide support for newcomers and refugees across the region, he noted. "It was one of the ways of feather- ing out the approach to try to touch as many people as possible, said Erb. Erin Jones, CEL site co-ordinator for Stratford, said the funding will give ESL instructors the time they need to help newcomers settle into their new life here. That includes providing informa- tion and referrals about community services, schools, health care, jobs and training. It's something instructors have been doing on their own time outside of class, noted Jones, but they never had enough time to do it as well as theywould like. "This new funding is going to give ESL instructors the time to workwith all newcomers in Huron and Perth counties at the CEL sites," she said, "to meet with them one-on-one, make referrals and just help them to feel supported and welcomed to their local community." The United Way funding is consid- ered interim, from January until March, but Erb said a longer-term funding application is currently being reviewed. Thursday's funding announcement came just before a meeting of the newly formed Newcomer Settlement Huron - Perth, a group of area service provid- ers who have come together to assist newcomers and refugees. That partnership includes mem- bers from the Centre for Employment and Learning of the Avon Maitland District school board, the United Way Perth -Huron, the Conestoga College Career Centre, Contact North, Perth and Huron counties, Huron Local Immigration Partnership, the munici- pality of North Perth, Partners in Employment and the Stratford Public Library. The list is expected to grow in the coming months. Walton church expected to transform into a music studio Shaun Gregory Huron Expositor Walton United Church closed its doors for good last fall, resulting in the building being put up for sale. Con- sidering the size of the structure there were several questions, specifically if any offers would come in. Those qualms have recently changed. The church also known as Duff's had been a reputable religious estab- lishment in Walton Ont. since 1912. They celebrated their 100th anniver- sary in June of 2012, followed by a final service on September 27 of last year. It was a troubling experience for some of the locals, but since the new buyer plans to retain the struc- ture and keep it part of the commu- nity, Claire Dodds, the senior plan- ner for Huron County, said the people are looking at this in an optimistic manner. The new arrangement is expected to be a totally different format, unlike a house of worship. "One of the individuals inter- ested in purchasing it is a profes- sional musician and will be inter- ested in using their church for a music studio, Dodds informed the Expositor outside the Huron East council chambers. In addition, Dodds went on further to say she is not at liberty to reveal the potential property shopper's name because the sale is a private real estate deal. Because the building will not be used as a church, but instead a residential place of business, a zoning change had to be pre- sented to council, prior to any potential sale. "What they had to do was change it for the property sale, it was a zoned property sale. It was a zoned community facility, when it was zoned. Recognizing the church being it's main use. But now it's basically going to be for residential use," explained Huron East's CAO, Brad Knight.