New Rankin

The new $3.1 million, 17,980 square-foot Rankin Physical Therapy and Fitness Center opened on Monday, April 2. The facility is located in Berkeley Springs off U.S. Route 522 South on Fitness Lane just below the Best Western Inn.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Rankin Physical Therapy and Fitness Center is planned for Wednesday, April 11 at 2 p.m. Governor Joe Manchin is scheduled to attend. An open house is set for Saturday, April 14 from 12 to 3 p.m. Light refreshments will be served at both events.

A dream comes true

The opening of a state-of-the-art fitness facility and physical therapy clinic is the culmination of a dream for local physical therapist Kelley Rankin.

Rankin's new facility features a 4,000 square-foot main fitness center, a 1,000 square-foot women-only fitness area, a separate 3,500 square-foot physical therapy clinic, a gymnasium, an indoor pool and four locker rooms, each having two showers, one of which is handicapped-accessible.

The building also has offices and workrooms for physical therapy staff and a multi-purpose room for classes. Rankin's former clinic and wellness center in the Junior's building on U.S. Route 522 closed on Friday, March 31.

History

Kelley Rankin is a Morgan County native and a Berkeley Springs High School graduate. He has a master's degree from West Virginia University in physical therapy.



After Rankin opened his Rankin Physical Therapy clinic in Berkeley Springs in 2001, he saw a need for a full-scale wellness center. Rankin wanted to build a large physical therapy and fitness center with a gymnasium that could be used by the community.

Then Rankin was partially paralyzed in a mountain biking accident in August, 2005. Despite his injury, he was determined to make his therapy clinic and fitness center complex a reality. Rankin returned to work in January, 2006 and ground was broken for the new facility in March, 2006.

Heated pool, gymnasium

The new Rankin Physical Therapy and Fitness Center has a 22' by 22' indoor heated pool equipped with whirlpool jets and two underwater treadmills. Rankin has hired two certified pool operators with lifeguard certificates to staff it.

The therapeutic heated pool is beneficial for conditions such as arthritis and fibromyalgia, said Rankin. The resistance of the water provides a great cardiovascular workout with minimal stress on joints, he said.

Rankin Fitness Center also has a 6,000 square-foot gymnasium with a regulation-size basketball court for gymnastics, recreational sports and recreational team leagues such as adult volleyball and soccer leagues. The gymnasium has an indoor tennis-volleyball system and indoor soccer equipment, said Rankin.

Rankin will have space available for sports and practice time as well as some open gym time for shooting hoops. The gym could also be available for line dancing, square dancing and other activities involving movement.

Fitness areas, locker rooms

The main fitness area has treadmills, exercise bikes, steppers, ellipticals, bench press, rowers and fitness stations with universal-type equipment along with a free weight area for weightlifting. A rowing machine uses internal water to simulate natural rowing. Resistance can be varied, said Rankin.

A women-only fitness room has circuit training and strengthening equipment for low-impact conditioning and weight management. Rankin Physical Therapy and Fitness Center has all brand-new equipment, he said. Rankin hopes to donate the equipment from his old facility to area non-profit organizations.

Classes, staff

Rankin has hired fitness instructors to conduct classes such as aerobics, tai chi, yoga, judo, water aerobics and big ball. Free self-help arthritis classes will also be offered. A monthly schedule for classes will be posted online at their website. Rankin also plans to have nutritional education and speakers on different health issues.

A total of 16 employees with some 10 new employees will man the Rankin Physical Therapy and Fitness Center, including an occupational therapist, the physical therapy staff and personal trainers. Rick Solomon is the new fitness director. Program director Shea Sirbaugh will coordinate the recreational leagues. Jamie Mason will supervise the personal training program.

Kelley Rankin sees physical therapy clients at both his Shenandoah Valley Physical Therapy location in Martinsburg and in Berkeley Springs. Rankin's wife Jennifer Rankin is the business manager of both facilities.

Memberships, future plans

Rankin is offering discount memberships for students,

seniors and members that

bring along a family member

or friend. He is considering

a family membership plan. Rankin will also offer a

number of free member-

ships annually for people in need.

Rankin plans to build an Olympic-sized swimming pool that could be used for high school swim teams as well as a walking track by 2009. He hopes to add more offerings as they develop their programs and that people will let him know what programs they would enjoy.

"The community has been very supportive," said Rankin.



Hours

Hours for the fitness center are 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday and 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday. Physical therapy clinic hours are 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday.

For more information on the Rankin Physical Therapy and Fitness Center, call 258-1300 for the physical therapy center and 258-5555 for the fitness center or go to their website at www.rankin-fitness.com.