How Healthtrax Transformed a 30,000 sq. ft. Gym Without Shutting the Doors
Updating the energy infrastructure of a gym comes with a laundry list of challenges. The primary issue is, of course, avoiding disruption for members who pay for access.
Replacing essential equipment such as heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems at an active facility is no easy feat. Shutting down the entire location isn’t an option, yet keeping doors open while temperature regulation is compromised is also not ideal. Plus, large cranes and trucks can potentially block essential access points for members or create safety hazards. These logistical difficulties cause many gyms owners to avoid updating their equipment, which unfortunately leads to outdated facilities that waste energy and drive up operational costs.
Healthtrax Fitness & Wellness was struggling with some outdated aspects of one of its facilities in East Providence, Rhode Island. Partnering with Budderfly enabled them not only to update the energy infrastructure of their gym with no upfront costs, but also to solve logistical challenges and avoid disrupting daily operations.
The problem: A large fitness facility struggles with aging equipment
The 40-year-old Healthtrax location had aging HVAC units that were causing a lot of issues: from poorly regulated temperatures and circulation to leaks in the ceiling that were disturbing members as they worked out.
Maintaining a comfortable climate is always a priority for gyms, but Healthtrax also runs a daycare with children as young as six months old. Ensuring proper temperatures is essential to keeping young children healthy, especially during cold New England winter.
Plus, Healthtrax’s East Providence location is a massive, varied complex. The 30,000 square foot facility has squash courts, ride studios, yoga studios, pools, wide open floor gyms, and the daycare center that all have unique temperature setpoint and airflow needs. For that reason, another challenge the gym was facing was high energy consumption. Heating and cooling the building is one of Healthtrax’s highest operational costs after payroll, and they needed ways to preserve capital so they could invest it in other aspects of the business.
The solution: Strategic planning makes a large-scale installation seamless
Healthtrax owner Steve Capezzone wanted to outsource facility upgrades and had heard great things about Budderfly from another gym owner he trusted. Budderfly was brought in, and our expert team created a plan that would be able to handle the concerns Healthtrax had about upgrades.
Namely, they wanted to replace 12 HVAC units while ensuring:
- Members were able to safely use the gym
- The parking lot wasn’t obstructed
- Peak traffic times were avoided
- Members' safety and comfort were not compromised during installation.
In addition to the HVACs, they would also install new LED lighting fixtures and water conservation solutions across the building.
Budderfly’s team has overseen thousands of installations across the U.S., so they had the logistical know-how and experience to tackle this large-scale project successfully. It required coordination and meticulous planning across Budderfly's internal partners, the contractor team, and Healthtrax. To make sure Healthtrax could maintain its full operational capabilities, Budderfly's team worked to strategically phase out the project and break out the crane lift days into three separate days over the course of two weeks.
The result: A “first-class operation” and a better environment for members
The installation at the Rhode Island Healthtrax was a success. According to Capezzone:
“There was no major inconvenience for us or members. The coordination was great — cranes, timing, communication — it all went smoothly. I didn’t hear a single complaint. First-class operation.”
Since installation, one of the biggest things that members and staff have noticed is greater comfort, better temperatures, and improved air quality. Plus, the facility is saving energy and water and has become a much more sustainable operation. These upgrades and ongoing maintenance provided by Budderfly will keep equipment running smoothly for years to come.
To learn more about the project and see footage from the installation, watch the video below.