District: from barrels to a beauty salon
A new luxury lifestyle and leisure complex will open next week on the grounds of the Clayton Silver Springs Hotel.
District, a new state of the art facility, offers a wide range of services from a swimming pool and AstroTurf pitches, to a café and beauty salon.
Founder Seamus Crowe said: “What I’m trying to do in Cork is not your typical gym. Our aim is to build a real community experience. To have people looking forward to going in to District, to really feel part of a team, and not just clocking-in and clocking-out.”
The ‘all under one roof’ facility aims to offer its clientele an experience that amounts to more than just your average gym.
Members can opt for a high intensity gym workout, a leisurely swim, a mindful yoga class, and everything in between. District offers something to accommodate all aspirations and every level of fitness. The all-inclusive facility operates on an ethos of offering a state of the art, modern, luxurious venue, with highly professional and personable staff. Ambience and warm hospitality are key features.
Disctrict is based in what was Source Health and Fitness in Tivoli.
The new location will be the second development by the company. The first District opened in Galway in 2010 as a 12 foot square unit. “I started off in the first District with some empty barrels my father-in-law gave me, he’s a fisherman. It’s amazing what you can do with an empty barrel.
“It started with two people on a Thursday night, then they brought some friends. It went from two to 22 very quickly, and built from there. All the money coming in was reinvested. As it grew, I put in an AstroTurf pitch, a couple of studios, and an office for a nutritionist. I still have the barrels and the kegs,” continued Seamus.
The Cork District team is comprised of experienced professionals handpicked by Seamus, including staff who worked at the original Silver Springs gym.
“There was a lot of love for the old centre - such a strong community. There was a lot of emotion around the building yesterday, when ex-members were walking around the halls, meeting each other, hugging. I was dumbstruck.”
Seamus is devoted to making every experience personable and pleasant for his clients. “It’s that atmosphere of being a little bit different to your commercial gym. For Cork, I went for people with experience, people who can actually hold conversations, and get to know a member. I ask myself every day, ‘why will someone join us instead of somewhere else?’ Facilities and equipment are paramount. But the atmosphere and the way people are treated when they come in is the absolute number one priority.”
The state of the art facilities offered include a gym, cafe, beauty salon, pool area, AstroTurf pitches, studios for yoga and pilates, squash courts, a sports clinic, pool area, and a crèche.
District will open on Monday 28 October. For more information, visit district.ie.