SITE OF THE MONTH (July 2009)
Renaissance Hotel
Portsmouth, VA
SITUATION:
With a massive hotel renovation underway and five years of cardio equipment issues with Life Fitness, it was time for the Renaissance’s general manager, Andy Schiavone, to move his fitness center in a new direction. Coming off a successful installation for another Crestline Hotel property (Norfolk Marriott ® at Chesapeake), timing couldn’t have been better for Heartline. However, when this hotel was originally built, the fitness center was an afterthought. Consequently, space was an issue, electrical outlet placement was an issue, and Marriott’s new personal screen entertainment protocols posed even more issues.
SOLUTION:
Heartline’s team of Mark Giusto (Heartline’s territory sales rep) and Chris Smith (Heartline’s Tidewater service manager) teamed up with the Renaissance’s engineering department to develop a new layout that optimized the room’s space, while minimizing its costs for new dedicated electrical outlets and cable television hookups. Due to Crestline’s investment in the overall renovation project, the fitness center’s budget was tight. However, thanks to Star Trac, what started out as a Star Trac S-Series installation, was quickly upgraded at no charge to Star Trac’s flagship, E-Series line. When the dust settled, the Renaissance’s fitness center boasted three Star Trac E-Series treadmills, two ellipticals, and one recumbent bike, as well as a full dumbbell area with urethane Star Trac dumbbells and an adjustable flat-to-incline bench. All of the Star Trac cardio equipment came with 15” personal screen entertainment systems. With an indoor pool next door, wow what great amenities!
