Strength training goes outdoors in Potsdam thanks to Stone and Steel Gym donation – North Country Now
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Strength training goes outdoors in Potsdam thanks to Stone and Steel Gym donation
Posted 7/7/26
POTSDAM – A new opportunity to stay active is coming to Ives Park, thanks to a recent donation from local gym business owner Tim Vollmer
Stone and Steel Gym owned by Vollmer is donating more …
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Strength training goes outdoors in Potsdam thanks to Stone and Steel Gym donation
Posted
Tuesday,July 7, 20265:00 pm
POTSDAM – A new opportunity to stay active is coming to Ives Park, thanks to a recent donation from local gym business owner Tim Vollmer
Stone and Steel Gym owned by Vollmer is donating more than $10,000 worth of outdoor strength training equipment to the Village of Potsdam, creating a free public fitness area that anyone can enjoy, said a press release from the village
The outdoor fitness park will feature seven pieces of strength training equipment, giving residents and visitors another way to stay active while enjoying one of the Village’s most popular parks
Located along the Raquette River, Ives Park is already a destination for walking, paddling, community events, and family activities
The addition of outdoor fitness equipment will expand those recreational opportunities and provide another free re
For Vollmer, the project is about much more than installing gym equipment, the village said. It’s about continuing the mission that inspired him to open Stone and Steel Gym in the first place
“Stone and Steel Gym’s mission is to help the residents of Northern New York live longer, healthier, more capable lives,” Vollmer said. “When we opened Potsdam’s first 24-hour gym, our goal was to make strength training more accessible. Creating a free outdoor fitness space that anyone can use is the next step toward that mission.”
The donation comes at a fitting time. Stone and Steel Gym first opened its doors during Summerfest on July 11, 2024, and this summer marks the gym’s second anniversary
Vollmer’s roots in the community run deep. He came to St. Lawrence County for college in 2004 and has called the Potsdam area home ever since. Although he now lives just outside the Village in the Town of Stockholm, he says there’s never been any question about where his heart is. “Potsdam has always felt like home.”
That connection to the community shaped the kind of business he wanted to build
“I wanted to create a gym that wasn’t just open 24 hours a day, but one that really served the people who live here year-round,” he said. “Students are absolutely welcome, but I also wanted local residents to have a place that felt like it was built for them.”
Village officials say the outdoor fitness park reflects the kind of partnerships that help strengthen the community
“We’re incredibly grateful to Mr. Vollmer for making this investment in Potsdam,” said Village Administrator Isabelle Gates-Shult. “This isn’t simply a donation of equipment. It’s an investment in the health and well-being of our community. Ives Park is one of the Village’s most popular gathering places, where residents enjoy outdoor recreation, connect with family and friends, and take advantage of everything the park has to offer. Adding outdoor strength training equipment creates another opportunity for people of all ages to stay active while enjoying one of the Village’s most beautiful public spaces.”
The equipment is expected to be installed later this summer and will be available for public use at no cost
“The Village extends its sincere appreciation to Tim Vollmer and Stone and Steel Gym for their generosity and commitment to creating a healthier
stronger community,” the press release from the village said
