The Candid Manager: Shirlee Vedder, Mayfair Raquet & Fitness
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| Shirlee Vedder | |
| President and CEO | |
| Mayfair Racquet & Fitness Clubs | |
| Greater Toronto Area | |
How did you become a fitness club CEO ?
I first became involved in the clubs as a member and avid tennis, racquetball and squash player. My sports involvement eventually led to an employment opportunity. I held positions such as executive assistant, assistant general manager, general manager and assistant to the president.
What sets your club apart from the others?
We believe that a holistic approach to a healthy lifestyle is one of the many things that separate Mayfair from other clubs. We provide the very best in services and facilities for our members.
What has been your biggest challenge?
There are many challenges just in the day-to-day operations of the organization just like everywhere else I suppose. But clearly, the most significant challenge was the flood at our Parkway club. A storm sent a six-foot wall of water raging through the lower level of the club. Our diligent and caring staff responded by escorting everyone to safety with absolutely no injuries. In a matter of moments the lower level of the club was destroyed by water damage. The three other clubs opened their arms to welcome the Parkway members, and we were able to get through it together. Perhaps this is why our members were willing to make alternative arrangements while they waited for their club to be rebuilt.
What is your management philosophy or guiding management principle?
Honesty at all times and an ‘open door’ policy
Where do you spend money/not spend money in your club?
We invest in our facilities: equipment, common areas, classroom training areas, court areas and most importantly, the cleanliness and safety of all areas. All aspects of the experience must be world class. Provide a wide variety of services with easy access to professional staff and trainers for guidance and assistance when needed, plenty of equipment to avoid long wait times and enough court times to adequately service the members needs. Members expect tremendous value for their fees and tremendous service from the staff and instructors.
We don’t believe that offering ‘deals’ on memberships makes sense in our business models. We are committed to providing the best experience possible for our members. They are very committed to their own personal health and wellness. Simply having people join because of a ‘special deal’ goes against the values of our members and therefore, against our values.
What do you like most about this business?
People, absolutely the people and their health and wellness! This is at the very core of our values and success. We believe that family and friends are very important.
What are your outside interests?
My number one outside interest is my loving and ever supportive family. I enjoy yoga, spinning, golf and absolutely spoiling my grandchildren!
What plans do you have for the future?
We plan to continue to maintain our reputation for delivering the very best in high quality services and facilities. We fully intend to continue being the leader in tennis, squash and fitness programming as well as introduce the latest racquet and fitness trends to the Toronto market. In short, our goal is to perfect what we already have and do for our clubs and our members.
Mayfair Racquet & Fitness Clubs
50 Steelcase Road East
Markham, Ontario
(905) 475-0350
www.mayfairclubs.com
Clubs opened:
Established in 1971. Currently four locations: Mayfair Parkway and Mayfair East in Markham, Mayfair West in Downsview and Mayfair Lakeshore in Toronto.
Number of members:
9,000+
Number of staff:
300+
Qualifications of staff:
Employees are required to participate in on-going certification programs and encouraged to research and stay on top of new developments in training techniques and philosophies.
Software:
Our computer system was specifically designed for us. Members are granted access by way of a computerized ‘hand access code’. Members’ access codes are associated with their membership numbers and their unique handprints.
Membership fees:
Basic yearly fee is approximately $1,000.
Member demographics:
55% male and 45% female
Size of facility:
87,000 sq. ft. to 126,000 sq. ft.
Equipment, programs and services:
Each facility has state-of-the-art training equipment. All cardio equipment has individual personal AV monitors. All swimming pools are equipped with salt water systems; each club has self-contained spinning studios and self-contained yoga/mind/body studios
Tennis, squash, swimming, yoga, pilates, latin/ballroom dancing, hip hop, cardio kickbox, core, body sculpt, group power, fusion, hockey conditioning, belly dancing, mom and tot programs, camps, running groups, yoga for golfers, aquatics, spinning, personal training, tennis, squash, yoga, pilates, group fitness, sports medicine and wellness center, chiropractic and physiotherapy services, spa and hair salon services, kids programs, restaurant and catering services and meeting room rentals, etc.
Popularity: 13% [?]
