Donald
Teuma-Castelletti
OTTER LAKE Dec. 16, 2017
There’s a new spot to get buff in Otter Lake, and it’ll be open just in time for the community’s new year resolutions to start up.
The Garage, a new gym at 281 Martineau Avenue, held their grand opening party on Saturday, welcoming guests to check out their space and offering early registration for the official opening, aiming for just before the calendars roll over to 2018.
“I bought the garage a few years ago,” said owner David Brisebois. “Then I had lots of young guys wanting to come work out here.”

Brisebois said that though he had lots of interest from locals, he was too busy with his own work to fully commit to changing a portion of the garage into a full gym.
“It all started out as a personal gym, then a lot of people asked about using it,” he continued. “But I had talked about it with the building inspector over the years, and decided to go ahead with it four or five moths ago.”
From there, it was straightforward to opening the area’s first gym. Brisebois had to get new workout equipment, set up some mirrors, cameras and a check-in system – tracking who comes and goes, allowing in only those who’ve paid their registration via their login code – and he’s almost already to go.
Manager Lyssa McDonald has big plans for their gym, as she’s been working towards her personal trainer certification.
She plans to start up ladies’ circuit training classes, as well as ladies’ nights at the gym, to best accommodate the needs of their customers.
“As we go on, we’re looking to add what the public wants,” said McDonald.
So far, they’ve already planned out lots of enticing offers to kick off their opening.
Till Christmas Day they have promotional pricing on memberships, plus they’ll offer family and drop-in rates.
“We’re interested in new opportunities and offering healthy lifestyles for everyone, especially the local young men,” said McDonald, saying it offers them a way to deal with stress after work or school.
Otter Lake Mayor Kim Cartier-Villeneuve said that the opening of a gym is a hugely positive addition to the community, garnering support from the public and their local council.
“Hopefully they’ll have some group activities, as it’s a great way to stay energized,” she said. “It gives us initiative, seeing other people working out, too.”