Sun City welcomes new aquatics/fitness coordinator

HUNTLEY -- Sun City is home to more than 8,000 residents, most of whom are enjoying the freedom of being retired.

Fitness, wellness and general recreation are key ingredients to a lifestyle that is now available to thousands of retirees -- nationally and locally.

The newest member of Sun City's dedicated staff committed to carrying out that promise is Bernadette Fortnum, newly appointed aquatics/fitness program coordinator. Her 20 years of work experience in the area of aerobics, both on land and in the water, have proven to be a perfect match for the growing number of classes available to Sun City residents.

And Fortnum is no stranger to Sun City.

Prior to recent program changes regarding the Wellness Center, managed by Centegra Health, Fortnum was one of its staff members. During that time, both Centegra's Wellness Center and Sun City's Fitness Center were offering land and water aerobic classes. A change in Sun City's Community Association Management policy to shift total responsibility for classes to the community's Fitness Center resulted in the elimination of her position.

Sun City's loss was the Centegra Health System's gain. Fortnum was immediately hired as group fitness assistant for Centegra's Health Bridge facility in Crystal Lake, but another opportunity for Fortnum was just around the corner. The position of Sun City's aquatics/fitness program coordinator, which had been vacant since early spring 2007, was available.

"I love everything about Sun City. I love the people, their attitude as seniors, their desire to remain active and their commitment to good health. The physical environment of the facility and all of the people who work here are just great," said Fortnum.

As an Aquatic Exercise Association certified instructor, she also aspires to write a book someday, laying out an all-inclusive plan for instructors about how to teach and motivate seniors via aquatics.

Looking ahead, Fortnum anticipates a continuing interest by seniors maintaining their fitness.

"We have the facilities and personnel to see that that happens," said Fortnum. "Our records show that 1,200 residents per week use one or more of the facilities we have to offer. I'm happy to be part of the programs."

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