St. Croix’s Beeston Hill Health and Wellness renovates and expands under new ownership

We interviewed Wendy Keeler, general manager of Beeston Hill Health and Wellness, about the recent change of ownership. She summed up for us recent renovations at the facility, along with upcoming plans for growth and expansion toward bettering the health of St. Croix residents.    

Q: What changes in ownership / leadership have occurred at Beeston Hill Health and Wellness in the last year? 

A: [Wendy Keeler] In September 2018, founding chiropractor Dr. Doug Menzies retired. Michael DelGiacco took over the chiropractic and physical therapy practice along with the fitness center, re-branding those entities Beeston Hill Health and Wellness. Chiropractor and St. Croix-native Dr. Cleopatra Peter, joined DelGiacco and Physical Therapist Paul Evora, in carrying-on the Beeston Hill rehabilitation center legacy, which is when I came on-board as general manager. Since then, DelGiacco has acquired or partnered with several other local businesses. As a group, they have a long-term plan to invest in improving health and wellness in the territory, as well as bring new service offerings to residents.

Q: What facility renovations have recently been completed, are currently underway, or planned for the near future? 

A: There have been a few renovations at Beeston Hill Health and Wellness recently, with many more planned for the future. In November, the cafe got a face-lift and A Better Day @ Beeston Hill Cafe opened its doors. The cafe offers clean cuisine– fresh juices / smoothies; wellness consultations; meal preparation; cleanse / juice packages and more. A new software system in the gym and cafe now allows members to check-in by scanning a key card, as well as charge purchases to a house account. This includes meals in the cafe; personal training; wellness treatments; supplements; snacks; and drinks.

The addition of CrossFit® style equipment by the pool deck has allowed patrons to vary their workout routines. This will soon include an outdoor boxing gym. Renovations for the weight floor, cardio studio, kids club and group fitness classroom are also planned, as is expanding and upgrading the cycling studio. The gym now offers retail nutritional supplements like BCAAs (branched-chain amino acids) and Creatine®, as well as snacks and fitness drinks like Bang® and Celsius®. The intention is to be a one-stop fitness shop, along with a full-service whole foods cafe.

One of the most exciting future projects will be expanding wellness and body treatments to include therapeutic and sports massage, as well as laser lipo, ultrasound cavitation and vacuum therapy for non-invasive body sculpting. An x-ray machine will be another welcome addition coming soon to the chiropractic and physical therapy clinic. The capability to offer this level of diagnostic services in-house, will ease the process for patients and expedite treatment.

Q: Which classes are new offerings and for what ages are they appropriate? 

A: Beeston Hill Health and Wellness is now the proud home of St. Croix Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu with Instructor Eric Robinson, along with swim lessons with Coach Kie Ransom. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is a grappling martial art that utilizes leverage to allow a smaller person to subdue a larger, more powerful opponent. It builds strength, control and discipline. Classes are offered for ages 8-12 and 13-16 years-old, as well as adults. Coach Kie’s swim classes start at age six months and include an adult stroke clinic for members. A new belly-dancing class for adults on alternating Fridays, has also been an exciting new offering by SoKh™ Caribbean Dance Fitness founder and AFAA-Certified Fitness Instructor Khnuma Esannason.

Q: What new equipment has been added at the gym recently? 

A: Another exciting new tool for meeting fitness goals is the ACCUNIQ BC380 body composition analyzer. This machine is the most accurate body measurement system on the market, using bio-electrical impedance analysis to determine the amount of fat, muscle, bone and water in the body. This measures not only weight, but BMI, body fat mass / percentage and muscle mass.

The CrossFit® equipment is already in-place. The new x-ray machine, boxing gym area and new cycling studio are underway. These are only part of the future plans for Beeston Hill Health and Wellness as we grow and expand offerings. Stay tuned for great things ahead!