Global Warming scientists have yet to zero in on it yet, but there's an apparent climate change occurring at the Triangle SportsPlex.

Patrons might worry that any changes at the home of the only full-sized skating rink between Cary and Burlington might reflect a slippery problem: how to heat up interest in comprehensive health without melting the ice. But an open house from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. March 21 at the renovated facility, located at 101 Meadowlands Drive in Hillsborough, was a chance to see a new cool look for the Sportsplex: on the ice, in the pools, in group-exercise classes.

"We've always been known for ice," said Kelly Sikes, Triangle SportsPlex Membership and Marketing Director. "With these enhancements, we're able to better address a well-rounded, healthy lifestyle for every member of the family."

The Sportsplex has expanded from its original 80,000 square feet to about 90,000, Sikes said.

Saturday's grand opening featured a special, one-time waiver of up to $50 in registration fees for new members, she said. Festivities kicked off with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, followed by a weight-loss seminar and a free, 20-minute exercise classes with instructors. The ice rink saw numerous skating exhibitions, including a show by Carolina Ice Synchro, a team of synchronized skaters that competed at the 2009 U.S. Synchronized Skating National Championships earlier this month. The first non-adult synchronized team from the Southeast to qualify for nationals, the 13-member squad is coached at the Triangle SportsPlex by Jamye Gaster and Paula McKinley.

One of North Carolina's largest recreational facilities, the Triangle SportsPlex is one of only two facilities in the U.S. to offer an ice arena, aquatics center and a fitness center all under one roof.

Originally under private ownership, the Sportsplex was bought by Orange County four years ago. The adjoining Central Orange Senior Center opened on January 29.

Healthy changes

Though there remains some evidence of construction at the facility, one notices enhancements and upgrades immediately upon entering the SportsPlex main lobby. Giving an ad hoc tour, Sikes sheds light on the final location of familiar features.

"The pro shop is over here, where the snack bar used to be," she said, pointing out the new, expansive retail outlet before moving on to the new snack bar location.

"We'll still have the (snacks) people liked," she explained, "but we'll also be looking to add healthy items like protein shakes, and we'll have a new cappuccino machine."

Parents and children in particular will notice striking improvements, Sikes insisted.

"The locker rooms are the same, and the pools are the same," she said, "but we now have dedicated area for the KidsPlex. It was the weight room, and now we're using it for group exercise, but all of that will be moved out. In the kids' area, we'll have afterschool programs, inclement weather programs, and workday camps. That's also where we'll have Toddle Tumble Together and a Kids-in-Motion program."

Sikes said the area formerly used as an arcade area will now be a much-larger child care room.

"This will be a child care center now, with a flat-screen TV," she said, "and we're hoping we have custom-built cushioned mats that will serve as barriers."

For those getting lost amidst the changes, a new flat-screen monitor will improve navigation and way-finding.

"We've got a new video screen in the lobby," she said, "and it will show information on all of our programs, where they're being held, what time they start, which locker rooms are being used for what-that's going to be pretty cool, and there's another screen for television programming."

More class

The most profound changes, however, have occurred in the facility's ability to service the area's fitness and wellness needs through an airy, second-floor fitness facility overlooking the ice arena.

"We have cycles for spin classes, and our main area here is for our cardio fitness," Sikes said. "We rarely have any waiting on our cardio machines. We also have 10 flat-screen, 52-inch TV's up here."

In addition to typical fitness equipment and free weights, the fitness center also offers the used of new Free Motion brand equipment. While Nautilus equipment offers specificity and isolation of muscle groups, Free Motion emulates fitness in tandem with real-life motion, helping build stability, balance and overall strength.

"It's a neat idea for bettering your quality of life," Sikes explained. "It's like free weights in a machine, and it helps prevent injuries as well."

Sikes said memberships for families still run $74.99, while individual memberships are $44.99, with mini-corporate rates available.

A Cool Idea

"A membership gives you access to the new fitness center, pool use, group exercise programs, discounts on skating, and discounts on group and private swim lessons," Sikes noted.

With only minor punch list items left to attend to, Sikes said, everyone is looking forward to all that the renovated SportsPlex will mean to members.

"We really appreciate the longtime members sticking it out," Sikes said. "We know it's been a long haul. But through it all, I will say that we never had to postpone or cancel a single event or change programming due to construction -- we're pretty proud of that."

While administrators are hoping to stoke the fires of local fitness and heat up interest in new programs, most conjecture that the rink ice should remain cold, safely free from the ravages of any "Global Warming."

In the short run, at least.