Garside retires after many years on fitness center board

After having an involvement in the detailed workings of Greenfield’s fitness center from its infancy, Jennifer Garside retired from the Adair County Health and Fitness Center board at the close of 2022.

Garside started on the board in 1996, saw the center blossom from an idea to a reality, and now a reality to what many feel is a thriving piece of the community.

“It’s kind of sad, kind of bittersweet, because I have such an affinity to the place,” said Garside. “It was a real passion.”

The fitness center began when in January of 1996 the Andrews family gave a more than $100,000 bequest to the city so that a new congregate meal site could be started. Even then, community leaders found that money didn’t go as far as they anticipated, because building or renovating something costs a lot.

“A lot of people said that’s great, but how are going to sustain that?,” Garside said. “That’s when we did a community survey and it started looking like a community center is what would come out of that study.”

The fitness center started on the square, then it moved to its present location at 202 NW Townline Rd.

“It was kind of an uphill climb at first to get it sustainable. We’re in a good place financially. We’re doing updates to the building just because [of the building’s age],” Garside said. “It feels good to go out on that note now that we have a few of those things started.”

One of the biggest aspects that Garside will miss is working directly with many of the volunteers, employees and directors that have made the fitness center successful in years past. People from other communities are quick to say how nice of a fitness center Greenfield has.

The fitness center currently has a part-time program director position available.

“I am most grateful for all the countless volunteers, whether that be volunteers who have run programs, coaches or board members, this place has mostly been built and run on the great volunteers we’ve had,” Garside said. “I’m always amazed at how many people say we’re so lucky to have this in a town our size. I’m always pleased to hear that because it validates what we’ve done, the hours, the keeping it open and sustaining it.”

Garside said she’s hopeful and optimistic that the fitness center will continue to serve the community for many years to come.

Brian Eisbach also went off the board at the end of the year. New members to the board are Shelby Herrick, Larry Means, Scott Prouty (treasurer) and Emily Schildberg. Other members are Lisa Lamb (president), Lori Miller (secretary), Paula Caldwell (vice president), Dr. Tim Piearson and Katie Ohms.

“My term was up again and I really thought this was a good time. It’s good to get new ideas, new blood in there. The places you get your best youth activity ideas are from parents,” Garside said. “You can get stuck in a box if you don’t do some of those things.”