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Abilities Centre
Abilities Centre, located at 55 Gordon Street in Whitby, Ontario, is a multi-purpose recreational facility. Known for its highly accessible design, Abilities Centre is a facility for all people of all abilities, hence the name Abilities Centre. Focusing on accessibility and inclusivity, the Centre hires and trains staff to be welcoming, approachable and helpful to any person. The staff are trained to approach all problems and people with a positive and non-judgmental attitude, creating a friendly and cooperative atmosphere.

Facility Features

The facility itself is built up of multiple sections, however the main focus of the building is its field-house. The field-house is the most notable feature of abilities centre when one is driving by. With an architecturally stunning curved, modern design, exposed metal spinal supports and glass walls, the field-house has become Abilities Centre’s identifier. Inside of the field-house, there are multiple areas where members and employees are allowed to work on their fitness. From three full-size basketball courts, to a multi-lane track, the field-house has something for every aspect of working out. The cardio section of the field-house is located along the west side, which houses treadmills, bicycle machines, rowing machines and ellipticals.

The next section of the field-house is the free-weights, cross-fit and machines area. This area has everything that is common to a standard gym, from regular weights to weight machines. Each machine comes with standard instructions on how to use that specific machine properly, appropriate gym etiquette and proper sanitation techniques.

The cross-fit area is a metal structure set up with multiple stations all around it. One is able to do multiple workouts on the cross-fit structure, from pull-ups to airborne crunches. The cross-fit structure also has clips where someone is able to attach ropes and do multiple rope workouts.

The most notable feature of the Abilities Centre fitness sections are the accessible and adaptable workout machines for those who are unable to use the regular machines within the field-house. These adaptable machines are specially designed resistance training machines that use air pressure instead of regular weights. These machines are all adjustable by the touch and hold of a button, which changes the weight, position of arms or other mechanical devices. Certain machines are even accessible by wheelchair, allowing those who are unable to transfer themselves from chair to chair to bring their own and workout from the comfort of their chair. Additionally, Abilities Centre staff are available for those who have limited mobility and will strap someone in to certain machines to have the machine provide an automated workout.

Abilities Centre is not limited to just being a workout facility, but also has many different artistic sections that are offered to members and employees. From musical classes to the original Thrive program (a program developed by Abilities Centre for young-adults with different abilities who have recently left high school), Abilities Centre has something to offer everyone. Their motto, You belong here, promotes the inclusivity founded within the building, and by extension, the surrounding community.

Where To Get More Information

http://www.abilitiescentre.org/home