Collingwood has a rich tradition of squash players and playing -- first, the Queens Club including, at one time, squash pro John Power (and a young Jonathon) and legends Gail and Murray Scott. Then in 2001, at Barton’s Fitness, a Founders group built two new singles courts and a spectacular high ceiling doubles court. Fast forward to 2017, Larry and Barbara Hall bought TAG Fitness with its squash courts and the largest fitness footprint in Collingwood. The Halls rebranded TAG as the Collingwood Squash and Fitness Centre (The Centre) and reopened seamlessly on October 1, 2017. By late 2019 the Centre team had completed the journey to upgrade facilities, to rebuild staff capabilities and membership and to achieve cash breakeven. Now COVID-19 and a new journey.
THE PARTNER OPPORTUNITY
In September this year owner Larry Hall will enter a new age category 80+, much too old to own and run a squash/fitness facility. Our General Manager, Athletic Therapist/Kinesiologist/Personal Trainer, Chris Grolla, is prepared to carry on but will need a new squash and financial partner. The reopening of The Centre will present new challenges in this COVID-19 environment, but the opportunity for the right team is very real. The Centre has a core group of squash, fitness and wellness members, many committed to The Centre by continuing to pay membership dues during closure. The team lead by Chris and CFO Steve Bennett have positioned the club for reopening -- negotiations with The Centre’s landlord are continuing, core members are awaiting announcement of revival plans and Squash Ontario is helping reposition us with programs and identifying potential partners. Chris will need your help – to build squash and fitness members and programs, to identify and acquire new funding and to partner, at least part time with the managing of the Club.
THE PARTNER
You will be an accomplished devotee of squash and fitness seeking, at least, a part time role to build something that could/should lead to a partnership opportunity with Chris. With CFO, Steve Bennett (a superb volunteer), you will want to help refinance the Centre and build programs to attract local, GTA, young and old squash players and fitness members to The Centre. Eventually, you may want to relocate to South Georgian Bay located Collingwood – one of Canada’s most desired places to live and play.
CONTACT US
Please plan to contact us at The Centre if you require additional information and have an interest in exploring this opportunity. Provide us with some background information about you and your expression of interest direct to Barb and me at lmhall101@gmail.com
Barb and Larry Hall