Photos provided.
ROUND LAKE — Capital District Sport and Fitness (CDSF), the Capital Region’s new premiere sports performance and fitness facility, is hosting a grand opening event on Saturday, June 23, to benefit the It’s OK to Dream Foundation. The opening will support Capital District youth programs through the It’s OK to Dream Foundation. The grand opening will run from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Various hour-long classes will be offered throughout the day for those looking to experience one of CDSF’s world-class fitness programs or simply work out for a good cause. A minimum donation of $5 will be required for each class. All proceeds from the day will support the It’s OK to Dream Foundation, a charity founded by University at Albany football star and former NFL player Rashad Barksdale. The foundation benefits youth organizations and programs in the Capital District.
CDSF GRAND OPENING CLASS SCHEDULE: 9 a.m. – Adult Group Training Met-Con Class 10 a.m. – Youth Athletic Development Class 11 a.m. – High School and Youth Athlete Q&A/Meet and Greet with Rashad Barksdale 11:30 a.m. – Sports Performance Class Following the classes, CDSF will be providing the community food and drink from 12:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Those who attend will receive special promotional offers for CDSF memberships, the chance to win CDSF apparel, and the opportunity to explore the facility and talk with CDSF staff. Raffles will also be available to support the It’s OK to Dream Foundation.
The following local businesses generously donated their products for the event: Death Wish Coffee - Gift Basket Tri-City Valley Cats- Tickets Colorize Inc.- 2 Gallons of Paint of Your Choice CDSF is located at 21 Wood Rd #100 in Round Lake, NY. Capital District Sport and Fitness is a sports performance and fitness facility designed to increase strength and improve quality of life for residents of New York’s Capital District. CDSF provides members with fitness training, a supportive community, and education to help get them out of their workout rut, performing their best, and seeing results that last. CDSF was founded by Mike Sirani and Dan Jones, two Capital Region natives who’ve returned home to provide the community with a gym that supports, motivates, and educates its members. Mike and Dan have trained hundreds of athletes, from motivated high school students to established professionals, at world-renowned training facilities across the U.S. They’ve worked with players from the MLB, MLS, and MiLB, learning how to best support athletes looking to reach the next level.
To learn more, please visit capitaldistrictsportandfitness.com.
Its Ok to Dream was founded by Rashad Barksdale, who grew up in the small city of Hudson, NY. Sports have always been a big part of his life, keeping him busy and out of trouble. Rashad played varsity basketball, baseball and football at Hudson High. He had the privilege of continuing playing baseball and football in college at the University at Albany where he also earned a bachelor’s degree in sociology. After four years of baseball, Rashad walked on to the University at Albany football team and quickly became a starting cornerback. His success was rewarded at the 2007 NFL draft, during which he was selected by the Philadelphia Eagles in the 6th round. He was the first player in UAlbany history to be named to a 53-man roster and play in an NFL game. Rashad says it was a blessing to continue his football journey in the NFL, but it also enabled him to fill another passion of his— community service. To learn more, please visit itsok2dream.org.
