WHEATLAND – The faces have been familiar for three years in Wheatland. Todd Rau and Christy Shanahan who have been influential in Real estate, the rental market and other financial ventures have been working hard and also working out at the gym in downtown Wheatland.

“We liked it so much, we bought it,” said Rau. “Seriously though, we wanted to invest in the health of our community. The former owner Flora Basquez created a really nice facility and we just really want to expand on what was built.”

There isn’t much that local business entrepreneur Shanahan can’t do, and is quietly and unassumingly a part of many Platte County businesses. You could say that moss could never grow on this Wheatland very active rolling stone.

The main business that she has been involved in is Dirty Blonde Salon and Tanning at 2005 16^th Street in Wheatland. It is like a one-stop shop for hair, skin, pampering and generally making people feel better about themselves. The couple also owns a landscaping company.

Born in Boulder, Colorado, Shanahan lived in a bigger city for a few years before her family moved her to Wyoming where she would eventually graduate from Laramie High School. While in high school, and even then, an overachiever, went to cosmetology school and earned her degree.

“It was my senior year in high school,” she said. “I was able to take one class in high school and then I went over to cosmetology school for the rest of the day. I have also gone on to earn other degrees too, one in phlebotomy, medical assisting, paralegal and I just took Real Estate classes.”

Rau was born in Bozeman, Montana. While growing up Rau was an avid athlete and after high school he moved to Colorado where he met his significant and they have been together for 19 years this next April.

As for how the couple pulled the trigger on owning a health club, Shanahan said that it has been something they have always talked about.

“We started working out here about three years ago,” Rau said. “I just couldn’t believe that Wheatland had such a nice facility. For a small town, the gym is amazing.”

The facility is set up as a 24-hour workout center and combines the best of both worlds with cardio workout and state of the art weight training. Members are going to eventually get an app for their phone where they can gain access to the building, schedule tanning appointments and personal training appointments.

They are currently in negotiations with a personal trainer who is familiar with the facility and has worked at the gym previously under the former owner.

“We want to run cardio classes, yoga, spinning classes and someone who can teach and orientate new people to the facility and the equipment,” Rau said. “We are also meeting with someone who will be proficient in weight training.”

The gym which has had state of the art workout equipment is in good condition according to the couple. They have not had to purchase any new equipment, however they are putting in a sauna and a stand-up tanning bed along with a nutritional vending machine for shakes and power bars.

“At some point we are also hoping to put in a daycare,” Rau said. “That will be for limited hours.”

As far as tanning, Shanahan said they would only put in one because they already have one at the salon. Although there is a set price to use the gym equipment, using the tanning or daycare will come with an add-on cost.

“We are in the process of upgrading our software system, so this old door system will soon go away,” Rau said. “Everything will go online as well as we have purchased an app. Everyone can register online, sign up for membership online, billing, payments, all class schedules and purchase tanning packages. You can do it all online.”

The couple have changed the age for gym participation to ages 13 and up and Rau says that he hopes it will be a good fit for the high school students who want to work out and also perhaps senior citizen groups who want to do a class together or work out together.

The rate packages are very reasonable and seniors are even offered a discounted membership.

For more information, you can go to the Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100087683154619

You can also call with questions to 907-308-1886 or 307-331-5746.