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The Shimon and Sara Birnbaum JCC in Bridgewater recently converted their pool to salt water and installed a brand new, state-of-the-art fitness studio.

Both of the new additions are a part of the ongoing renovations at the JCC, which are all part of the Building on Success Capital Campaign.

Debbie Golden, the marketing and public relations director for the JCC, said originally there were three classrooms occupied by the Blaustein Early Childhood Center where the fitness studio is today, but now there is one large studio and a building adjacent to the JCC that has seven new classrooms. The construction on the fitness studio began in October 2008 finished in January, and the studio officially opened on Feb. 13.

"The school has its own place," Golden said. "With the expanded space for the pre-school, we could introduce the toddler daycare program."

Additionally, on Feb. 22, the construction began to create an outdoor glass-enclosed hallway connecting the JCC main building to the new building for the students.

Joy McIntyre, of Somerville, the fitness director at the JCC, said she is thrilled about the new fitness studio. She said it's great to have a studio that is large, spacious, can fit many more people, and allows her to expand programming.

"I love it; it's my dream," she said. "It's nice to have a dream come true."

Most of the construction done to the fitness studio was an in-house project led by Maintenance Director Robert Wojciechowski, McIntyre said. Along with the maintenance staff, he converted three cramped small classrooms into one big room, she said. With the exception of the floor, everything in the room was done by the maintenance staff of the JCC.

"It's a floating athletic floor; your body weight dissipates as you hit the floor," McIntyre said.

The new studio now holds many new programs, such as a brand-new spin program called J-Spin, McIntyre said. Also, there are dance classes and private fitness classes.

With the new fitness studio, McIntyre said the JCC's fitness program is now up to par with other JCCs in the area. More importantly, there is a warm, loving, family-oriented atmosphere in the fitness studio she said.

"Our mission is to help our members get a good workout," she said.

JCC Executive Director Laura Friedman said the pool, which was converted to salt in the beginning of January, so far has been amazing and members are really enjoying it.

The conversion of the pool to a salt base not only has made the members very happy, but the aquatics director Stephanie Johnson's job a lot easier, she said. Johnson said prior to the new pool, the JCC used to receive about five to 10 complaints a day about the pool.

There are major differences between a salt based pool and a chlorine based pool, she said. Although, it isn't as salty and isn't like swimming in the ocean, Johnson said members know that the pool no longer has chlorine.

"There is no eye irritation, no odor, and it makes the skin nice and smooth," Johnson said. "It's more environmentally friendly."

Johnson said many members at the JCC said if they didn't do something about the pool to make it more accommodating and enjoyable, they would leave the JCC. Therefore, Johnson and the board of the JCC realized a change was needed.

"I think it's tremendous," she said. "I'm happy considering I'm down there eight times a day."

This is the only JCC in the country with a salt-based pool, she said, and it is creating quite a buzz in the community.

JCC members Jenifer and Lee Berrebi, of Bridgewater, said there was a major difference between the new salt-based pool and the old pool. They said their eyes aren't as red and their children enjoy swimming in the pool much more.

Sam Kandar, of Branchburg, said he and his family are big supporters of the JCC and love the new pool. There are no downsides to the new pool because it's more fun, safer, and the children can stay in the pool longer, he said.

"The enhancements and ongoing upkeep are great," he said.

The upcoming president-elect Peter Horowitz, of Bridgewater, is very excited and proud of the new additions to the JCC, he said. The new fitness studio is spectacular, the pool has made a major difference with the members, and the new classrooms have been great for the students, he said.

"I'm very proud of all the improvements we've been able to provide," Horowitz said. "All of these things only could help us during these troubled times."