
DATE: Sunday, September 28, 1997            TAG: 9709260420

SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER      PAGE: 03   EDITION: FINAL 

TYPE: CLOSE-UP 

SOURCE: Scott McCaskey 

                                            LENGTH:   72 lines

ELAINE P. HAWKINS MEMBER-SERVICES MANAGER AT FITNESS CENTER

Elaine P. Hawkins began working in the Lifestyle Plus, Health, Education, and Promotions Department of Chesapeake General Hospital 15 years ago. She was a secretary and one of only three employees.

Today, the department has more than 40 workers and has helped launch the soon-to-be-completed Lifestyle Health and Fitness Center in Western Branch. Hawkins is the member service manager.

``I've always had an interest in health and exercise,'' said Hawkins, 40, who taught aerobics at the hospital for 10 years. ``We're getting ready for our grand opening during the first week of November.

Hawkins responsibilities include writing policy, hiring staff, helping sell memberships and coordinating membership retention programs.

``Elaine has been key,'' said Page Lile, general manager of the facility. ``With her years at the hospital, she's invaluable to us.''

A 43,000 square-foot site on Taylor Road, the center features an indoor pool, aerobics rooms, weight rooms, a gym with basketball and volleyball courts, and next year will have tennis courts. The facility will offer free-to-the-public health and education seminars, including first aid, cooking and cancer-prevention programs.

``It's a very nice facility,'' Hawkins said. ``For the grand opening, we'll have Bob Green, Opra Winfrey's personal trainer.''

Membership at the center costs from $40 to $53 a month per individual and includes free child day care. Hawkins says she expects a membership roster of mostly adults, 35 and older. Aerobics classes, stationary bike group pedaling classes and weight training courses are among the programs offered.

Hawkins, who has a bachelor of arts degree in business administration and a minor in health care from St. Leo College, based in Florida, with extension classes offered at the Norfolk Naval Base.

``This new job gives me a chance to combine my love of health and fitness with my business background,'' she said.

A Chesapeake native who grew up in the Grassfield section, but now lives in Great Bridge, Hawkins sees the center as another example of how her city has grown.

``Sometimes all this growth can be a little scary,'' she said. ``But I look forward to seeing the facility prosper and learning new things in my career.''

Full name: Elaine Phelps Hawkins

Birthdate: January 19, 1957

Occupation: Member services manager at Lifestyle Health & Fitness Center

Hometown: Chesapeake

Marital status: Married to William Franklin, called Frank

Children: Michael Travis Hundley, 23

Pets: Two dogs, Pebbles and Brutus

Hobbies: Reading, working out, scuba diving, cooking, family time

Perfect day off: Spending time with the family

Favorite food: Likes Pargo's and seafood

Favorite music: All types, especially contemporary Christian and gospel

Favorite book and author: Enjoy all kinds of books, I like John Grisham, Stephen King and Robin Cook