Griffin Elite Sports & Wellness, a new state-of-the-art concept in athletic training and fitness is inviting the public to an OPEN HOUSE on Sunday from 1-5 p.m.
The facility is located in Erlanger at 700 Dolwich Corridor.
Here is the NKyTribune’s earlier story about the facility, writing by Sports reporter Terry Boehmker after his own early tour of the facility. It will give you an idea about what to expect — and the people behind it:
Griffin Elite
By Terry Boehmker
NKyTribune sports reporter
As construction crews and electricians put the finishing touches on the Griffin Elite Sports & Wellness facility, a new concept in athletic training and fitness is also in the works.
When the two-level building on Dolwick Drive in Erlanger opens this month, it will provide services to develop skills, strength and agility for athletes of all ages, along with offering conditioning and injury recovery programs.
Bob Griffin, former president of Griffin Industries, and his immediate family have invested in the project. Two of his sons, Jordan and Michael, will help run the business.
“I just think there’s a need for this in our area,” Bob Griffin said. “We really want to hone in on the skills part of it and try to develop different athletes. That’s what we’re all about.”
A staff of highly certified sports performance experts will carry out that mission. They will work with individuals and groups to specifically design programs to achieve their fitness goals.
“You can’t come in here and utilize any piece of equipment without proper evaluation and direction, ” said Greg Von Hoene, general manager of Griffin Elite. “You will be assigned to a package appropriate for your needs and goals. Whether it’s group or individual training, it all includes assessment and consultation to build a plan.”
The plans will are customized to the individual, group or team. The Griffin Elite staff will work with each client or group depending on what they’re trying to achieve.
“Bob wanted this to be an all-encompassing facility where, if your goal is skill development or total wellness, we have the facility and staff to meet your needs.” Von Hoene said.
The front lobby of the Griffin Elite facility extends out to a mezzanine overlooking the basketball/volleyball courts and indoor turf field on the lower level. The mezzanine is large enough to be used for meetings and wellness related speaking engagements.
The lower level of the 52,000 square foot building has areas for training and skill development programs in any sport. There are three hardwood courts for basketball and volleyball on one side and a large artificial turf field with four 40-yard running lanes on the other side. A 5,000 square foot training room with the latest strength and conditioning equipment is also on the lower level.
Von Hoene has already been contacted by football, baseball, soccer, lacrosse and gymnastic coaches interested in using the facility for camps and clinics as well as an NFL combine. Large curtains attached to the ceiling can separate the field into three sections so different sports sessions can take place at the same time.
The hardwood courts can also be separated by curtains and rented for basketball and volleyball leagues or tournaments. There will be camps and clinics provided for younger players interested in improving their basketball and volleyball skills.
“When you look at the three courts we have with scoreboards and shot clocks, I plan to have college events here,” Griffin said. “My mind is set on getting something like the Deveroes League that is held locally during the summertime. With all the colleges in the tri-state area, we plan to offer college summer basketball leagues.”
The lower level has a studio for various types of yoga. On the upper level, a licensed chiropractic doctor who specializes in a pain relief treatment known as Active Release Techniques (ART) will be available for appointments.
The facility will also offer cryotherapy treatments – a growing trend nationwide in injury recovery, physical rejuvenation and therapeutic swelling reduction. The cryotherapy procedure requires standing in an enclosure that’s cooled to sub-freezing temperatures with liquid nitrogen gas.
The Griffin Elite staff will be able to design injury recovery programs as a follow-up to physical therapy sessions. Von Hoene has been meeting with representatives of area physical therapy groups and is working out transition plans to help their patients get back to normal well-being or peak performance.
“We’re excited to offer these companies what their patients ideally need,” Von Hoene said.
Griffin plans to make the entire facility accessible to community organizations that need a place for sports and exercise, including the Special Olympics, Children’s Home of Northern Kentucky and Wounded Warriors Project.
“Our family has always been one to give back to the community,” Griffin said. “We’re reaching out to those and other similar groups because if there’s something we can do to help people, then that’s what we’re going to do.”
On Friday, Oct. 9, Griffin Elite will host a reception honoring Ralph Dusing, president of Bluegrass Commercial Group that built the facility. Dusing has been named the 2015 Distinguished Alumnus by the University of Cincinnati College of Engineering and Applied Science.
The grand opening of Griffin Elite Sport & Wellness will be scheduled before the end of October. The facility will be open to the public that day for tours and more information about the programs it offers.
“It’s going to take a while to get this thing going, but we’re doing to do it right and are in it long term,” Griffin said. “We’re excited to bring something so positive to the tri-state area.”