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The following description may be used by the media or any organization to describe the center;

The Virginia G. Piper Sports & Fitness Center for Persons with Disabilities (SpoFit) opened on October 31st, 2011.  The center is designed to provide health, fitness and recreation programs to individuals with disabilities and their families, and will also serve as a venue for local, national and international adaptive sporting events.  The spectacular new center is co-located with the Disability Empowerment Center (DEC) in Phoenix, Arizona.  The DEC and the SpoFit are owned and managed by Arizona Bridge to Independent Living (ABIL).  In addition to ABIL, eleven other disability services organizations call the DEC home.  The Disability Empowerment Center and the Virginia G. Piper Sports & Fitness Center comprise the first     co-located, universally-designed (accessible) facilities of their kind in the United States.

The SpoFit is one of two centers in the U.S. that is specifically designed for individuals with disabilities, and the only center of its kind in the Western United States.  It features two full-size sport courts, an indoor suspended track, rock climbing wall, fitness center/weight room, group fitness room and an aquatic center.  The sport courts have both 10′ and 8′ hoops to allow youth to play more competitive basketball.  The courts will also accommodate sit volleyball, power soccer, quad rugby and other team sports.  The one-of-a-kind fitness center is located on the second floor.  The spacious work-out center includes an accessible line of CYBEX weight-training and fitness equipment.  The aquatic center contains a lap pool, therapy pool and spa.  All three pools are accessible by chairlift. The lap pool and therapy pools also provide entry by elevator.  The lap pool is designed with a lowered bench for transferring directly from a wheelchair to the water.  The center’s aquatic program will begin operating in March of 2012. 

The center is home to the Phoenix wheelchair rugby team, whose roster includes numerous gold-medal Paralympians, and the Banner Phoenix Wheelchair Suns and Banner Phoenix Wheelchair Mercury basketball teams.  It addition to team practices and tournaments, the SpoFit will host various clinics, such as sit volleyball and Warrior Games for veterans.  The facility will hold group fitness classes such as sit yoga and zumba dance, and host educational nutrition and fitness classes, such as weight training basics.  The facility offers health and fitness opportunities for both young and old, individual and team, and beginning and practicing athletes and fitness enthusiasts.  The center is staffed by experienced individuals who are knowledgeable in disability and adaptive recreation programs.  Amber Blanchard, SpoFit Manager, is a certified therapeutic recreation specialist (CTRS) with over twelve years experience as a therapeutic recreation program coordinator and adaptive sports board member. 

Individual memberships may be purchased on a monthly or yearly basis, with youth, adult and senior pricing.  Adult individual memberships are $35/month.  Family memberships and group rates are also available.  Individuals or families may also pay per visit or purchase a punch pass good for twelve visits.  Financial assistance is available for those who qualify; scholarship applications may be requested.   Various areas of the SpoFit are available for rent for programs and activities for persons with disabilities, including the sport courts, group fitness room and aquatic center once it is open.  Contact us about program, membership, scholarship and rental information at www.spofit.org or by calling the SpoFit at 602-386-4566.  Email us at spofitinfo@abil.org.

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Marketing & Communication Manager

Arizona Bridge to Independent Living (ABIL)

Phone:  602-386-4278

email:  LorenW 'at' abil.org

Clink on any of the links below to view media related to the Virginia G. Piper Sports & Fitness Center for Persons with Disabilities.

Virginia G. Piper Sports & Fitness Center - In The News

Photos of the Construction Progress

Artist Renderings

ABC News Video of Groundbreaking