A Reading City FC player has bought, revamped and opened a new gym in under three months with his childhood friend.
Director Josh Baines, who signed as the club’s centre-midfielder this summer, has transformed the old Rivers Ibis in Tilehurst with his friends, fiancé and volunteers.
The Atrium Health Club, complete with football pitches, coffee shop and bar, will open tomorrow.
“It’s very exciting. if I’m honest it’s been hard work from everyone to get it done in time - we have been working until 1.30am night after night, a small group of us,” said Abbie Shaw, who volunteers as marketing lead for the gym alongside her job at Royal London Insurance.
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Abbie, who lives in Tilehurst with partner Josh, explained that their friendship group had been vital in making the gym a reality, with pals offering to code the website and paint and decorate.
She thanked volunteers from the Tilehurst community, who gave up their time to clean and litter pick after Josh bought the Scours Lane building in June.
“We want it to be a real hub and I think that’s reflected in how we’ve gone about pulling together people who have volunteered to come down and fill holes, sand and paint,” said Abbie.
“Whilst it’s been exhausting and late nights, people have pulled together and I think we’ve started how we want to go on.”
Josh, who was born in Tilehurst, formerly worked as a personal trainer at the old gym at the site before it was sold by prudential.
Abbie said: “Josh could really see the potential and wanted to breathe a bit of life back into it.”
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“I think there’s a real market for it. There’s a lot of budget gyms around but for people who are looking for a more welcoming environment or a bit more of a personal feel, there wasn’t really anything else in Tilehurst,” she added.
The fitness facility will include a large function room with ample rigging, a conference suite, personal training and events space for weddings.
It will be open from 9am-5pm on Saturday and Sunday for people to have a look around at the equipment and enquire about personal training sessions.
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