Summer flowers photo by Becky Hart
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Photo by Cate Huisman
Sue And Don Helander Help Sandpoint Stay Healthy By Cate Huisman Sue and Don Helander create a picture of good health as they pose in front of the pool at Sandpoint West Athletic Club (SWAC), the business they’ve managed for 18 years. Their lifestyle sets a good example, and it’s a rare day that club members don’t encounter either or both
of them working out, teaching a class, or giving players tips on their racquetball, handball, or squash games. The Helanders wandered into the exercise business indirectly through their fondness for court sports. Don played handball in college at Colorado State University and continued to play in Alaska, where he went to work on the pipeline. There he got into promoting handball, eventually running a tournament or two for the club where he played. Sue grew up in California and went to Alaska looking for adventure; what she found was Don, and she started playing racquetball and handball too. It’s no surprise that court sports are big at SWAC. When they tired of the long Alaskan winters and all-to-brief summers, the couple hopped the ferry back south and drove
around the northwest looking for a desirable place to live - a town that was still small and that had all four seasons. Like so many others, they date their arrival in Sandpoint to that first extraordinary view as they drove across the Long Bridge. “We camped at Samowen Park for ten incredible days and said, “This is going to be our home,” explains Sue. Within a few years, they’d bought a lot in town that came with five years’ worth of free membership at SWAC, which was then just under construction. With four courts for racquetball, handball, and squash, it seemed like a good fit. They’d also opened a new business, the Mountain Spa hot tub company that sold pool chemicals and comparable items. “Our little company and Sandpoint West opened the same week,” notes Don, “They were one of my first sales calls.” Thereafter, one thing led to another. The Helanders sold Mountain Spa in 1991, and then Don was asked to be general manager of SWAC. The position drew on his experience owning a business, playing court sports, and managing tournaments. Sue’s involvement increased too. First she taught (Continued on page 23)