Large Business of the Year has been awarded to some of Sylvan Lakes largest and most prosperous businesses in past years.
This year - Best Body Fitness, Canadian Tire, Shoppers Drug Mart and Tim Horton’s were nominated.
Owner Scott McDermott was ecstatic to accept the award on behalf of Best Body Fitness, especially considering how worthy the other nominees were in the category he explained.
“It’s kind of funny; at the Rotary Club meeting we do this thing where we talk about what we are happy about and I said I was really happy to be nominated,” McDermott said. “I felt I was up against Tim Horton’s, Shoppers Drug Mart and Canadian Tire, so I figured we wouldn’t have a snowballs chance.”
McDermott added that he didn’t even consider that his business would win until shortly before the award was announced to the crowd at the Business Award Mermaid Ball.
“I was sitting over there and thought to myself ‘What if we win? I should probably think of something to say,’” he said laughingly.
While McDermott accepted the award on behalf of the local gym, he credited the entirety of his win to their staff and customers who come to Best Body Fitness despite tough economical times.
“Fitness memberships are optional - we are way down the list after rent and food,” McDermott said. “The fact people chose to come to the gym and prioritize their health is amazing.”
He added, “We are heartbroken when people move away or lose their jobs and have to cancel - we care about our people.”
McDermott was happy to provide his staff with proof of their efforts.
“Our staff is so excellent,” he said. “They keep the gym clean, the classes are outstanding - they put their heart and soul into every piece of it. It’s great they have something to show for that.”
McDermott opened Best Body Fitness back in 2001, after briefly flirting with the idea of opening a gym in Innisfail.
“I looked at Sylvan Lake because I have been coming here since I was a kid,” he said. As soon as I found out there was a room here for a gym, we laid roots and built our house - we love it.”
McDermott has been a member of the Chamber of Commerce since he opened Best Body and is excited to see the direction business has taken in the town.
“I have been a member of the Chamber of Commerce since I started my business and it’s amazing to see it grow and become increasingly vibrant,” he said. “They have amazing leadership and have an amazing structure around what they do. They have become such a force.”
If you would like more information, you can log on to personaltrainerssylvanlake.com
McDermott added that the organizers of the Mermaid Ball have done great, great work and thanked the organizating forces at hand.
reporter@sylvanlakenews.com