KROC: Why it may be best

I was disappointed when I read "Peak Health & Wellness Center aims for ‘best' title" in the January North Idaho Business Journal.

Being declared "best" in any category only depends on the number of people voting for that category. Most people are not motivated enough to participate. Being declared "best" requires no judge or criteria such as Consumer Report performs. As such, it is possible for any company to be declared "best" by votes cast by owners, employees and personal friends.

If a company is truly "best" it should be gracious and above negative slurs at the perceived competition.

I was a member of Peak for eight years and exercised on most days at either Hayden or Post Falls. I believe that I know a lot about Peak. I liked the gym and many of its programs and employees. I personally like the owners.

I left Peak and joined Kroc almost two years ago. I now exercise at Kroc at least five times each week. I believe that I know a lot about Kroc, too.

In the article, Gary insinuated that Kroc is cheaper. Well, for me it isn't. I pay about the same at both places. Gary should look for reasons other than monetary for members leaving.

What I see at Kroc that I never saw at Peak is:

• A lot of seniors come to Kroc and work out, some in several pools, some walking the indoor track and some using excellent equipment and participating in various other programs. The Peaks in Post Falls and Hayden do not have pools or indoor tracks. Many of these people were never potential customers of Peak. I am pretty certain that some of them get lower membership rates. The Kroc does adjust membership fees based upon income. Some may come for the lower rates, but I think most come because they are more comfortable working out with others with their same level of ability.

• A lot of disabled people come to Kroc. I see people in wheelchairs, with walkers, with canes, with one leg etc., doing their best to exercise. They walk around the track slowly, but they walk and they come back! I doubt that many of these people ever seriously considered joining Peak.

• I see young families with children coming in together to swim, climb the climbing wall, use equipment, play basketball, paddle ball, etc. The Post Falls and Hayden facilities don't have pools and climbing walls. In addition, I don't believe that a lot of these young families can pay Peak's membership fees.

• The gym is filled with after-school children playing basketball, swimming, rock climbing, playing ping-pong, making music, learning drama, doing homework. I am amazed at the success the Kroc has had in attracting these children. I don't recall Peak having such programs or outreach.

• Kroc gives membership to Promise Keeper families. These families can come into Kroc, check in like all paying members, use the facilities and take showers with dignity. Some of these people have no other place to bathe. Obviously, they cannot afford gym membership fees.

I had some initial worries based upon the Kroc membership base; however, this has not been a problem. I have been able to use the equipment of my choice without waiting most of the time. I waited for equipment many times at Peak. Kroc has more members, but it has more equipment, also.

Our society subsidizes a lot of programs. Some we are enthusiastic about, others not, but I think that a subsidy to the old, poor and disabled to get proper exercise should not be criticized.

The article quoted Gary as saying that the Kroc looks like the Taj Mahal. I don't know how many people choose a gym by its appearance or what is wrong with being beautiful. The Kroc is beautiful and a great addition to the community, BUT the good story is not how it looks but what it accomplishes.

It would be too little to declare the Kroc the best gym in the city or county. Coeur d'Alene should find a more appropriate title of appreciation and support for it and what it offers to the community.

MARGARET OGRAM

Hayden