News

Ground Breaking Press Release
by Beth Maday

McDermott’s Athletic Clubs and ACAC Fitness & Wellness Center

Break Ground in West Chester

WEST CHESTER, PENNSYLVANIA – December 2001 – ACAC Fitness & Wellness Centers and McDermott’s Athletic Clubs Ground Breaking Ceremony was held November 29, 2001 on the site of the planned 80,000 square foot club on 17 acres at the intersection of Route 202 and 100.

In attendance, along with the partners and construction teams of the new club, were over 100 local business owners, West Chester Chamber of Commerce members, West Chester University faculty and administrators, as well as Mayor Clifford DeBaptiste, Mayor-Elect Richard Yoder, and State Representative Elinor Taylor.

Mayor DeBaptiste presented a Congratulatory Citation from the borough in an entertaining speech.

“Members of this new club will have access to one of the most beautifully equipped and professionally staffed fitness and wellness centers on the East Coast,” commented the Mayor.

“With programs for all, including fitness, summer camps, yoga, and weight management.

And that will be good for everyone here!”

The mayor also commented on Mr. McDermott’s willingness to “stay the course” after several roller coaster years.

State Representative Taylor applauded Charlie McDermott for “his dream”, commenting that “good business means good employment and it is great to see a local guy staying in the area to realize his dream”.

Additionally, she thanked Charlie for helping the citizens of the community to realize their dreams of better health and well-being.

Mayor-Elect Richard Yoder also remembered Charlie from his days as the Athletic Director at West Chester University.

He jokingly added that he “knew Charlie was going to make it since he was the only college wrestler I didn’t have to make academically ineligible.”

The ceremony continued with Charlie McDermott introducing his partners in the project, Roger Ralph, former owner of the Bel Air Athletic Club and ACAC Fitness and Wellness Centers’ Grant Gamble.

He defined Ground-Breaking as “something very new; a big change from other things of its type” and went on to describe the new fitness and wellness center as a place where one will be “enveloped by a feeling of family and belonging in a warm and caring environment”.

Though the project was slated for a 1998 completion, McDermott acknowledged the “bumps in the road” and was even moved to tears when reminiscing on many late night discussions with his wife and business partner, Barbara McDermott.

“We spent many nights after the kids were in bed discussing how to keep hanging on both mentally and financially to our goal.

Fortunately we persevered.”

The new ACAC Fitness & Wellness Center, as described by Charlie McDermott, will be a celebration of community, families, and local business.

A health club industry veteran, leader and visionary, Roger Ralph, partner in the new project, agreed.

“This facility will be one of the top five health clubs in the country because of the values behind the mission.

Being ingrained in the fabric of the community will ensure the success of this project”, Ralph added.

After receiving a citation from the office of Commissioner Colin Hanna, Charlie moved the group to the actual ground breaking and finally treated the attendees to some fun with a releasing of several snow-white doves owned by one of the club’s members.

Charlie invited the attendees to an even more exciting event “one like West Chester has never seen” at the grand opening which is expected in December 2002.

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