Press Release

Media Contact: John Bourget
phone: 860.231.6350
email: jbourget@mandelljcc.org

New State of the Art Fitness Wing Now Open at the Mandell Jewish Community Center

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WEST HARTFORD, CONN., August 15, 2007 - The major expansion and renovation of the Mandell Jewish Community Center's fitness facilities is now open. The Hoffman Field House, a new 22,000 square foot facility, is located on the Zachs Campus at 335 Bloomfield Avenue. The Field House was named in honor of its major funders, the Hoffman family of West Hartford.

The new Field House includes the Siegal/Levy Gymnasium, which is being named by the Siegal and Levy families in memory of Perry Levy. It features a full basketball court that divides into two large half-courts, bleacher seating for 150 people and can be used for community and social events. There is also a group exercise studio, a family changing room, a men's locker room, and a drop-in childcare suite with expanded babysitting services.

This expansion will allow the Center to extend its popular adult and youth basketball, develop a new volleyball program, and provide additional capacity for children's gymnastics, indoor soccer, hockey, t-ball and community events. The new group exercise studio has high ceilings and natural light, and will more than double the capacity of the many group exercise classes at the JCC. Jeffrey and Bradley Hoffman said their family is grateful for the opportunity to contribute to the construction of the Hoffman Field House, which is unique to the community. "No other independent fitness facility has a field house like this. It is much needed to support the interest in basketball, volleyball, indoor soccer leagues and other activities like gymnastics," said Jeffrey. Added Bradley, "We know that it will draw people from throughout the Greater Hartford area to the Mandell JCC."

The Hoffman Field House was the first phase of a full-scale renovation of the JCC's fitness facilities, which is now complete. Renovations also include a new 7,000-square-foot fitness center complete with 75 pieces of cardiovascular exercise equipment, strength machines and a weight room. There will be new facilities for Pilates^™, Spinning^™, a Women's Circuit, and a women's locker room.

The Center is also strengthening its focus on fitness for youth and teens with its new "Cool Fit" program. Designed for ages 8-12, the program will offer supervised exercise on specially equipped interactive and fun cardio equipment during the afternoons and weekends.

The popular indoor Playscape for children has been built into a two story high space that was formerly a squash court. There are two racquetball courts and a Yoga Studio available to the members.

"Family programs have always been one of the Mandell JCC's greatest offerings to the community," explained David Jacobs, the Center's executive director. "Our child care, pre-school and after school programs, summer camp, indoor and outdoor playscapes, pool and Family Room Parenting Center draw families from around Greater Hartford. Now we've taken our family fitness to the next level with the addition of Cool Fit and other new programs designed to keep kids active and healthy."

The largest funders of the JCC's renovations are Andrew and Joyce Mandell of West Hartford, co-chairs of the Center's capital campaign. Ms. Mandell, who is also a past President and Chairwoman of the JCC Board, said her family's desire is for the JCC to have "a really vibrant, exciting atmosphere" that reflects the wishes and needs of the community. "The community wants and needs these enhanced fitness and wellness services and we are delighted that we can do this."

The Mandell JCC is a community and cultural center that offers a full range of activities, classes, programs and special events for Jewish and non-Jewish people of all ages. The JCC's offerings include early child centers and afterschool programs, a summer camp, recreation and wellness facilities, health spas, an indoor pool, a swim and tennis club, an arts center and more. For more information, please visit www.mandelljcc.org.