By Randy Arrington
LURAY, July 10 — Last fall many members of the community panicked when the only fitness center in Page County was shut down by Valley Health following a $1 million fire at neighboring Dollar Tree. This week, both facilities were on the mend, as Steel Valley Fitness held its grand opening, while renovations continued next door at Dollar Tree.
“It’s wonderful to have this,” Mayor Jerry Dofflemyer said on Monday motioning to rows of workout equipment. “It’s good to see activity over [at Dollar Tree] as well, when word got around that [the fitness center] wasn’t reopening people got really upset…it is so important to the health and wellbeing of our community.”
More than 60 supporters and local officials gathered at 12 East Luray Shopping Center on Monday for a grand opening and ribbon cutting hosted by the Luray-Page County Chamber of Commerce.
“Thank you for taking a leap of faith and reopening this facility,” Chamber President Gina Hilliard told new owner Thomas Delo.
Delo, 32, began working out when he was 15. He was a “little overweight as a kid” and once he started seeing results from his workouts, he never stopped. Today, this personal trainer is living out his dream.
“When Valley Health closed down, it was a really easy decision,” Delo said of purchasing the business. “There are not many opportunities to do this, and we just really wanted to be here for the community.”
Although he’s been in Luray for a while now, Delo originally hails from East Palestine, Ohio, which sits between Youngstown and Pittsburgh. His hometown is known to many now for its recent train derailment. That’s where he started learning the discipline, routines and techniques it took to be physically fit. When he saw results himself, he began to share that knowledge and inspiration with others as a personal trainer.
“Physical fitness is important because it helps your overall health, and specifically your heart, lungs and mental health,” Thomas said. “It gives you a sense of accomplishment.”
For just $40 a month, members have 24/7 access to stairmills, treadmills, bikes, ellipticals, free weights, dumbbells, barbells and other workout equipment. Two personal trainers are available and workout classes are being considered for the future. The fitness center also provides a licensed massage therapist.
“I’m really happy you’ve opened this back up,” District 2 supervisor Allen Louderback said just prior to Monday’s ribbon cutting. “I know people who didn’t know what to do without this place when it closed down…to provide this service is important to our community.”
The Oct. 13, 2022 fire at Dollar Tree was ruled arson, and a Page County juvenile was charged. The blaze was estimated to have caused more than $1 million in damages, including more than $315,000 in merchandise at Dollar Tree alone. Smoke caused damage at the fitness center and Uncle D’s Pool and Spas.
While thanking a long line of individuals who helped him along the way during Monday’s grand opening, Delo described portions of the long journey it took to reopen the fitness center — from removing all of the workout equipment from the building, getting renovations and cleaning done, and then moving all the equipment back in, new signage, staffing and so on.
According to Delo, it truly took a village.
“People here have really opened up to me and really helped me…,” Thomas told dozens in attendance on Monday as he became a little emotional. “Not having grown up here, and not knowing anyone at first…that really meant a lot to me. This would not have been possible without them. I prayed about it, and people just started showing up.”
Steel Valley Fitness offers discounted $30 monthly memberships through their “Everyday Heroes” program. First Responders, healthcare workers, military personnel and teachers can get $10 off a standard monthly membership as a tribute to the services they provide for our community.
Students also receive discounted rates, whether they are enrolled in high school, college or trade school. A special program funded through state grants called “Silver Sneakers” offers zero-cost memberships to seniors over 65.
On Monday, Thomas Delo thanked God, his daughter Emily, and his wife Rachel for “believing in him.” He says he’s committed to providing the community with a quality fitness center that they can afford, and he’s “always looking for ways to improve.” He seems genuinely interested in the health and well being of the community.
On Friday, July 7, Steel Valley Fitness signed up its 600th member — and that figure had grown even before the ribbon was cut on Monday.
“I’m living my dream,” Thomas said. “For me, this isn’t about the money…it’s about the community. This was a no-brainer…I get to live out a dream and help out the community at the same time.”
Steel Valley Fitness at 12 East Luray Shopping Center is open 24/7.
Make sure to visit their website
https://www.steelvalleyfit.com
and/or their Facebook page
https://www.facebook.com/steel.valley.fitness
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