Özkan says it's a 'family-friendly destination'
COLE BAY--Princess Country Club (PCC) has made St. Maarten "a facility richer," Prime Minister Sarah Wescot-Williams told guests at the opening of the health, fitness and beauty club on Saturday evening.
Wescot-Williams, Deputy Prime Minister Theo Heyliger and his partner Grisha Marten, Sports Minister Rhoda Arrindell, President of Parliament Gracita Arrindell, Tourist Bureau head Regina Labega, former Lt. Governor Franklyn Richards and his wife Angela Richards-Huggins were among the scores of guests at the black-carpet opening ceremony.
"As you know, health and fitness are important and I think this is a start for us to really encourage a healthy and fit St. Maarten," Wescot-Williams said just before assisting owner Katsiaryna Özkan with cutting the ribbon to declare the facility officially open. "I think it is just too much for words [to describe] what you have made out of this facility."
She said she had been a patron of the former gym and salon "on and off" before it was refurbished.
"You would need to know what it was like to fully appreciate what it is today and I think that Kathy and all who worked with her deserve a round of applause. It is a tremendous improvement and it really shows that you can make something happen that you really want to make happen. It took a long time, but I think the result could not have been better.
"We are a beautiful facility richer as a country. I hope this will encourage many persons to make use of this facility and encourage others to improve and make whatever they are in as a business beautiful and worthy of St. Maarten and St. Maarten people.
"The more of you who join this centre, the more affordable it can be kept, so I ask you all to join ... especially the big family of the government of St. Maarten. If we all pool together, we will be able to use this facility here and I am in walking distance of it, so we can get here."
Owner Katsiaryna Özkan, who designed the refurbished facilities, said it was her intention to make the club "a destination" and a place that catered to entire families.
"It's been over a year since we started renovations. ... It was my dream for the club to become a destination. As many of us know already, St. Maarten does not need quantity anymore; St. Maarten needs quality. Princess Country Club is a place where everyone will feel nice, glamorous and special. I wanted to make a club that I would love to go myself: affordable, clean, beautiful, inspiring and, most important, family- friendly."
She said the opening of the club had been "a long journey" with many people involved. "I always had a vision in my head and I can tell you now that it has surpassed my expectations." Later in the evening, she thanked by name all those who had been involved and said she was very appreciative for their efforts and support.
Guests were given a tour of the facilities during a champagne and strawberries cocktail reception before the official ribbon-cutting ceremony. Guests were then treated to buffet dinner and dancing at the club's illuminated poolside. A shimmering three-level grey and white cake with black, grey and white bows bearing the club's logo was sliced to celebrate the opening.
Many "ohs" and "ahs" could be heard during the various tours, as guests expressed their amazement at the "beauty" and "comfort" of the facility. Many guests said they were impressed and would be joining to "pamper" themselves, among other things.
Guests were also asked to leave their business cards for an opening raffle. The winning business card will be pulled and the winner announced later.
The refurbished PCC comprises a 3,000-square-foot fitness centre, large spa, beauty salon, two dance/aerobic studios, a spinning and a pilates studio, organic Cafe Organica, a pool, seven lit tennis courts, the first children's gym in the Northeastern Caribbean, a children's Fun Park and a childcare centre that offers babysitting services.
The children's gym is furnished with a line of resistance equipment specifically designed for children ages 5-18 years from SHOKK®. The children's facilities mean that parents no longer have to leave their children at home when they go to work out or to have beauty treatments.
Prospective clients can visit the facility for a tour or sign up by visiting Port de Plaisance.
