Expanding with the Times, Building on a Legacy

The club hosted a Remodel Grand Opening Celebration on Saturday, Oct. 12 at

FAC West following a $2.5 million remodeling project that has been in the works for about five years, including an extensive planning period. Construction began in earnest in December 2023.

Holly Garretson, the widow of FAC founder Jim Garretson, has played a key role in managing both clubs, while steering the renovation and supervising major improvements with help from staff, family and friends.

“It’s a big deal for us; we’ve been planning it for a really long time,” she said about the major expansion project, adding that the push to remodel has not been about meeting competition or making a return on investment.

“It comes from the heart, from the gut,” said Garretson. “We were just stagnant with small spaces. We’ve been so busy, people were packed in. They couldn’t even get to machines and [we had] so many people in the weight room.”

Straightline Builders, in Flagstaff since 1997, has been the general contractor on the project. “It’s nice to have a company that can do big jobs in Flagstaff,” said Garretson.

More than 500 people visited during the celebration, which showcased the new weight room, a revamped pool area, renovated locker rooms and the updated lobby. Upgrades also included the reworking of one of the old racquetball courts into a new recovery and relaxation area with massage chairs, fireplace and TVs.

“We had raffle prizes, including a one-month membership, t-shirts and sweatshirts, some batting cage and pickleball rental time, massage chair passes, free personal training packages and guest passes,” said Marketing and Communication Manager Connor Mathews.

Friendly contests for gift certificates included bench press and pull-up competitions.

Mathews outlined a list of some of the modern equipment purchased as part of the expansion project: A complete line of life fitness and hammer-strength plate machines, four squat racks, battle ropes, dumbbells, benches, crossover cables and bosu balls, which are inflatable balls cut in half with bases to promote stability and balance while members do their workouts.

There is also a new area of artificial turf where people who need more space can stretch out and exercise.

Garretson says she has faced many obstacles during the construction period, including diminished supply chains caused by recent storms in the southeastern part of the country.

On the brighter side, she says she has enjoyed hunting for bargains and finding the best equipment. “One of our goals is to stay current and to change with the trends, to provide our members with the latest and greatest. That’s how clubs survive; they have to constantly refresh with the times.”

The facilities at the newer FAC East club include many elements offered at FAC West, including weight, cardio and fitness rooms, hot tubs (inside and out), swimming pools for lap swimming, and locker rooms with showers and steam rooms.

However, the eastside facility also has The SportStop, which used to be called “the bubble,” a large covered indoor area where the tennis courts were located. In 2005, it was turned into The SportStop, a multi-purpose athletic facility with batting cages, soccer fields, pickleball and sand volleyball courts.

In addition to two outdoor hot tubs, FAC East has two swimming pools and offers

lap swimming, water aerobics, water therapy, swimming lessons and lifeguard training.

Looking ahead, plans are being made for another smaller project – a yoga and Pilates studio in the old FAC West weight room space. Dates for that project have not been set.

“We’re going to catch our breath,” Mathews said. “Our members went through a huge project for 10 months. This project is smaller and less intrusive.”

In their modernized forms, both clubs stand as a vibrant testimony to Jim Garretson, whose love and passion for all sports led to his vision to create spaces where people could become healthier and happier together.

“People are so excited,” said Holly. “Jim built this and it’s just incredible. He was a giant in our community. It’s a lot more than just working out in the gym. It’s moral support and seeking a connection with wellness and community and friendship. There are so many people who have met at the clubs.” FBN

By Betsey Bruner, FBN

Courtesy Photo: More than 500 people attended the Remodel Grand Opening Celebration last month.