By: Nick Liard

A fitness facility at Finlandia Village has been officially open for a year and already they have over 700 members.

Today they also announced they surpassed fundraising goals, raising 550 thousand dollars for their Stay Strong, Live Long campaign which helped pay for equipment and programs in the gym,.

Executive Director of Finlandia Village SISU Foundation, Patricia Clizia says it’s only been a year, but they’re already seeing results in the residents.

She tells us of one resident who has told her without the gym she doesn’t know what she would do.

Finlandia Board President, Gerry Lougheed Junior says the members are both residents of the village and seniors in the community so it makes for a great social experience.

Finlandia CEO David Munch says the goal for 2017 will be to get more trained staff in the gym to help teach classes and get people up to speed on the equipment.

Money raised came from events like the SISU walk, Porketta Bingo and other community donations.

Filed under: Finland, Finlandia Village, fitness, gym, local news, members, SISU, Sudbury