Members or the Women on Weights program. (Supplied Photo)
For a local man who suffered a catastrophic workplace injury and nearly lost his leg, it provided mobility and confidence.
For a world champion athlete who thought their best years were behind them, it was a launchpad for a successful return to the spotlight.
And for a local pair of retirees in their 80s, its physical activities allowed them to extend their health into their golden years and keep visits to the doctor’s office to a minimum.
Since news broke of the sale of PEFAC’s building as part of an estate settlement, members of the local fitness club have been sending testimonials about what the facility means to them.
North Marysburgh native Shane Wilkinson said he never imagined what a critical role the facility would play in his life.
On April 29, 2016, Mr. Wilkinson suffered a life altering workplace accident that nearly claimed his life. He survived, but was faced with the possibility of losing his leg and never walking unassisted again.
“Prior to my accident I had been a PEFAC member for nearly 20 years,” Mr. Wilkinson said “I didn’t know if I’d ever return.”
He spent nearly two years at the Kingston General Hospital undergoing surgeries. Mr. Wilkinson kept his leg, but the prognosis for returning functionality was grim. It was a devastating period. For a middle-aged man who stayed active, an athlete of note in his youth, losing mobility was unthinkable.
Not long before his discharge, Mr. Wilkinson received an email from PEFAC staff, offering him an unlimited membership to aid his recovery. Being able to walk again unassisted was a distant target. He had been told by his doctors that driving a car, never mind returning to work, would be impossible.
“Getting back to the gym at PEFAC was a huge goal for me and their heartfelt offer made me try even harder,” he said.
“As someone who has battled PTSD, I can look back and see how valuable it’s been for my own personal mental health,” he added.
The rehabilitation hill was steep. But through grit, determination and with the constant support at PEFAC, Mr. Wilkinson was mobile, driving a vehicle, and back at work four years later.
The name Troy Eaton is synonymous with arm wrestling in Canada. The native Pictonian etched his name into the national record books with a storied career that boasted many national gold medals when he stepped away from the sport in 2011.
In 2021, he started working with young athletes during the resurrection of the Picton Arm Wrestling Club. He felt the passion start to rekindle. He wondered. If the spirit was willing, would the body be able to follow after a decade-long layoff?
“I knew I couldn’t do this alone if I wanted to make a serious return to the sport. I started going to PEFAC in 2021,” Mr. Eaton said. “I started to get back in shape and build my body up to competition level and PEFAC really helped.”
In 2022 he would win a provincial championship and move on to the Canadians, where he pulled down five gold medals. That season culminated with an appearance at the 2022 International Federation of Armwrestling’s world championships in Dieppe, France, where Mr. Eaton won a Grand Masters championship.
“Without PEFAC, I’m not sure I would have been successful in my return to the table,” he notes.
David and Lynn Edward have been going to the facility since 1993, when it was called The RecPlex. Mr. Edward credits both the morning Aquafit class as well as the All In One Keep Fit Class as the reason the couple are “still reasonably healthy and fit.”
“We both feel strongly that without it, our aging and decline in mobility would have been more rapid. I personally feel, because of my mobility issues, that PEFAC has minimized my trips to my doctor and kept me out of the Emergency Room.”
Mr. Edward points to the growing membership and number of annual visits by guests and local children for learn-to-swim classes as proof PEFAC is just as important as the County’s two arenas. “The municipality is getting great value for its annual financial support of PEFAC.
“The benefits far outweigh the cost ($70,000) to The County. The facilities are used by a very large number of residents, young and old. We have two arenas and some tennis courts along with parks, playgrounds and boat launches. We have no year-round public swimming or fitness facilities. Considering the size of our population and the demographics, this is a ludicrous situation.”
PEFAC, a fixture of Prince Edward County for nearly 40 years, is entering uncharted waters as the property goes to the open market. Fundraising activities are underway in an effort to purchase the property and keep the facility open.
“I’m extremely hopeful the community will step up to the plate and join together to ensure this amazing facility continues,” says Mr. Wilkinson.
“There’s an incredible number of members of the public that rely so heavily on PEFAC’s services to support their journey. I know this because I’m one of them.”
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