Cascade Fitness has new owners

Folks in Sisters will continue to spin, lift weights and keep in shape at Cascade Fitness.

Sisters’ oldest gym, which was about to close its doors at the end of this month instead is moving toward the future under the new ownership of Sue and Charles Rasberry.

“We were going to try to figure out a way to keep it going — maybe as a co-op — and we decided at the last minute to make the commitment,” Rasberry said.

Gym members already know Sue; she has been a personal trainer there for a year, starting just after she and her husband moved to Sisters. As an owner-operator, Sue plans to make a few changes, but her main focus is on continuing to serve Sisters as a “hometown gym.”

“We wanted to keep the vision that Dick and Kathi Helser (the previous owners) had for this place.”

That vision is of a no-frills environment where it’s easy to come in and get a quick workout at any time of day, with plenty of class offerings and the services of a personal trainer.

Sue Rasberry will continue to wear that hat as well as that of owner-operator. She is a Certified Fitness Trainer through the National Academy of Sports Medicine and is also a nutrition counselor. Her husband Charles, who has a background as a Christian counselor, will assist her with running the gym.

She believes there is room in Sisters for both Cascade Fitness and the more upscale Sisters Athletic Club.

“It’s not a competition, competing with Sisters Athletic Club,” she said. “We need both gyms. The whole project is working on the wellness of our whole little town.”

While the new owners don’t plan a radical change, Sue said “we’re going to do a little mini-face-lift.” That will include new locker and shower facilities and some new flooring and carpet. She hopes to bring in a line of supplements and to offer a range of classes.

For more information, call 549-1729.