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March 6, 2000
CONTACT:
CUBE PUBLIC RELATIONS
Denise O'Handley
847.869.0362
Mary Puckett
773.561.1632
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FITNESS FORMULA CLUBS, RUSH-PRESBYTERIAN-ST. LUKE'S MEDICAL CENTER ALIGN TO BUILD NEW HIGH-TECH HEALTH, FITNESS, WELLNESS CENTER AT UNION STATION
FFC Union Station To Offer Commuters, Residents Full Service Fitness Facility,
Health Programs, Executive Services
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CHICAGO -- Fitness Formula, parent company to Chicago's Premiere health and fitness clubs, and Rush-Presbyterian-St. Luke's Medical Center today announced plans to build a $13 million, 70,000-square-foot health, fitness and wellness center adjacent to Union Station, 444 West Jackson St.
Formerly home to the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, construction of the new FFC Union Station will begin in April and it is slated to open December 2000 featuring high-tech equipment, sports and recreational facilities, executive-style locker rooms, a café sporting heart-conscious fare, and concierge and business services.
"This facility is a strategic partnership between Fitness Formula and Rush, representing a new model to maintaining health," said Gale Landers, president and CEO of Fitness Formula. "It brings together the best of both worlds - a premiere fitness provider, Multiplex, with a premiere healthcare provider, Rush."
Fitness Formula will oversee development of the FFC Union Station, with construction by The McShane Corporation and architectural design by Prisco, Serena, Sturm Architects. Fitness Formula, which currently owns and operates six area health and fitness clubs servicing 18,000 members, is Chicago's leading fitness industry developer and operator and will staff and manage daily operations of the Union Station Multiplex.
"FFC Union Station will be the hub of our Multiclub network," said Landers. "Business commuters, residents and corporations will now have a convenient location for superior fitness and wellness services and programs."
Rush-Presbyterian-St. Luke's Medical Center is a partner in the project and will offer sports medicine services, physical and occupational therapy, cardiovascular rehabilitation and health-related educational programs.
"This center provides a new opportunity for Rush to reach people with information and programs that can help to maintain good health and prevent disease," said James Frankenbach, senior vice president of Rush.
The tri-level facility, which will highlight the Fitness Formula Clubs' signature open design with column-free interior space and 30-foot high ceilings, will offer panoramic views of the city and Chicago River. FFC Union Station is expected to draw commuter and local residential members with fitness and sports facilities including three group exercise studios, pilates studio, boxing studio, women-only cardio center, 25-yard junior Olympic swimming pool, two squash courts, double basketball court/volleyball court, whirlpools, steam rooms, and full-service executive locker rooms. An extensive cardiovascular training center featuring E-Zone technology will equip each piece of equipment with a T.V. and Internet access. Amenities such as an indoor/outdoor heart-healthy café and retail shop will also be available.
Ideal for commuter and corporate members, FFC Union Station will host numerous concierge and business services, such as laundry service, shoe shine, self and valet parking, conference and classrooms, and computer data ports.
"The club is in the ultimate location for convenience," Landers said. "FFC Union Station will be heavily equipped for lunch-hour workouts and is ideally situated for corporate members who commute by car or train and want to work out before or after work. Members can also work or relax in the club while waiting for their train."
Pre-opening membership sales begin in April at a 5,000-square-foot temporary facility located at 222 S. Riverside Plaza. Early member enrollments are available and will offer full use of a limited fitness facility prior to the opening of the permanent center. For membership information, call 312-627-0444.
Rush-Presbyterian-St. Luke's Medical Center includes the 809-bed Presbyterian-St. Luke's Hospital; 154-bed Johnston R. Bowman Health Center for the Elderly; Rush University (Rush Medical College, College of Nursing, College of Health Sciences and Graduate College); and seven Rush Institutes providing diagnosis, treatment and research into leading health problems. The medical center is the hub of the Rush System for Health, a comprehensive healthcare system capable of serving about three million people through its outpatient facilities and seven member hospitals.
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