St. Andrew’s Family Fitness Plus

Overview

St. Andrew’s Parks and Playground, established in 1945, is a community-focused recreation and fitness organization in Charleston, South Carolina. It operates parks, playgrounds, sports fields, and St. Andrew’s Family Fitness Plus (SAFFP), a family-oriented fitness center that emphasizes wellness, family bonding, and community connection over traditional gym experiences. The facilities blend indoor and outdoor spaces for all ages, promoting physical activity, sports, aquatics, and social events in a welcoming, inclusive atmosphere. Visitors enjoy a vibrant, family-friendly environment with modern amenities, group classes, and youth programs, fostering health, skill-building, and community ties.

Features & Amenities

• Indoor Fitness Areas at SAFFP:

  • Wide variety of cardio machines for all fitness levels.
  • Spacious weight room and functional training zones.
  • Beginner-friendly group fitness classes.
  • Indoor 25m saltwater heated pool (83-85°F water, 78°F deck) with 8 deep-water lanes for lap swimming and a 3.5ft shallow area for lessons and aerobics.

• Outdoor Facilities:

  • Picnic shelters seating up to 50 with adjacent grass areas.
  • Gymnasium with annex room (seats 50, multipurpose for parties), basketball/volleyball court.
  • Baseball/softball fields with optional lights.
  • Multipurpose sports fields at Ponderosa Community Park.
  • Forest Lakes Clubhouse and Pool (seasonal, Memorial Day–Labor Day).
  • Dogwood Park deck with tables and chairs.

• Other Amenities:

  • Racquetball/pickleball courts.
  • Conference, exercise, and multi-purpose rooms.
  • Bleachers, tables, and chairs for events.

Services

• Fitness & Aquatics:

  • Membership-based access to gym, pool, and classes.
  • Aquatics group fitness (deep/shallow water, drop-in mornings, pre-register evenings).
  • Swim lessons (group, private/waitlist), swim team.
  • Lap swimming, water aerobics, member-led games (e.g., underwater hockey).

• Youth & Adult Programs:

  • Seasonal youth sports (basketball, soccer via Charleston United Soccer Club, esports).
  • Camps (traditional, specialty summer/holiday), afterschool programs.
  • Adult classes: ballet, Taiko drumming, pickleball ($2/session), CPR/AED/First Aid certification.

• Events & Rentals:

  • Facility rentals (gym, fields, pools, shelters; 4-hour minimum, PSD resident discounts).
  • Special events: holiday contests, Santa letters, Grinch dinners, golf tournament scholarships.
  • Volunteer opportunities (maintenance, events, coaching) with free membership.

• Community Support:

  • Scholarships for low-income youth (full/partial, based on need).
  • Employment perks: free memberships, camp discounts.

Pricing

• Memberships (New Members, 12-Month Promo):

  • Individual: $34.99/month + $5 facility fee (taxes/CC extra).
  • Family: $84.99/month + $5 fee (max 4 adults, 5 children).

• Rentals (NPSD Rates, 4-Hour Min; PSD -$10 Discount):

  • Picnic Shelter: $50/hour.
  • Annex Room: $55/hour; Gym Floor: $90/hour; Combo: $130/hour.
  • Baseball/Softball Fields: $55/hour + $10 lights.
  • Forest Lakes Clubhouse: $60/hour; Pool Add-On: $50 flat + $20 lifeguard/hour.
  • Ponderosa Field: $55/hour; Dogwood Deck: $20/hour.
  • SAFFP Rooms: Conference/Exercise $60-90/hour; Multi-Purpose $80-120/hour; Full Facility $300-450/hour.

• Other: Pickleball $2/player; scholarships free/partial for eligible youth.

Location & Hours

• Main Location: 1095 Playground Road, Charleston, SC 29407 (Parks & Playground office).

  • Other Sites: Forest Lakes (1822 Gun Club Rd.), Ponderosa (845 Corral Dr.), Dogwood (1710 Dogwood Rd.).
  • Email: customerservice@standrewsparks.com; Phone: 843-763-4360.

• Office Hours: Mon-Thu 8:30am–5:30pm; Fri 8:30am–4:00pm; Sat-Sun CLOSED.

  • Pool Hours: Weekdays 5AM-7:45PM; Sat 8AM-4:45PM; Sun 1PM-5:45PM.

Notes

• What Makes It Special: Over 75 years serving Charleston, prioritizing affordable access via scholarships, resident discounts, and free volunteer perks. Community-driven with Legacy Foundation support, youth development (e.g., travel soccer, esports), and inclusive programs for all ages/skill levels. Feels like a ‘community hub’ not just a gym/parks—emphasizes family time, skill-building, and events like golf tournaments funding at-risk youth. Equal opportunity employer; background checks for child-related roles. Donate via PayPal to preserve/enhance facilities.