By Our Special Correspondent
SHILLONG, June 7: True North, a state-of-the-art fitness center in Lapalang, has quickly become a cornerstone of the city’s wellness scene. An extension of its original Mawkhar location, the facility boasts a 25-meter multi-lane swimming pool, a dedicated training pool, and a separate area for children. Beyond the water, the center offers a cardio track, a fully equipped gym, a steam room, and a hot tub.
Inaugurated by Chief Minister Conrad Sangma in July 2025, the facility has become a favourite destination for fitness enthusiasts, particularly those drawn to the therapeutic power of swimming. The pools are rarely empty, hosting back-to-back batches of dedicated swimmers of all ages. Upon his first visit, the Chief Minister expressed his amazement at the world-class standards available in Shillong—a vision made possible in part by significant funding from the CM ELEVATE initiative.
For founding partner Gary Lamare, the mission is simple: start early. “We are trying to catch them young,” Lamare explains. “We promote this facility for infants as young as six months up to toddlers of three years. This is the prime age for training.”
Lamare notes that many local families are unaware of the developmental value of infant swimming. While some parents view it as a luxury, the physical benefits are grounded in science. “When a parent sees their child splashing, they are actually seeing that child work against water resistance to develop limb coordination,” says Lamare. He adds that this cross-lateral movement—alternating arms and legs—builds neural pathways between the brain’s hemispheres, supporting language skills and spatial reasoning long before a child enters a classroom.
Safety is equally paramount. Trainer Ezra Kharsyntiew, a Bangalore-trained certified coach with a natural affinity for children, emphasises that early exposure saves lives. “Many parents fear the water, but formal lessons teach children breath control and how to reach for walls,” Ezra explains. “This can reduce drowning risks by up to 88%.”
The results are visible on the pool deck. Parents like Marian Badwar watch with pride as 2.8-year-old Miles Leonard flaps through the water with glee, mastering the art of submerged breathing. Nearby, Prerna Agarwal watches her 21-month-old daughter, Medhasvi. “Kids are natural swimmers; they spend nine months in the womb,” Prerna says. “I want my child to love the water and be a real swimmer.”
For Gary Lamare—the first person from Meghalaya to scale Mount Everest in May 2012—True North is a passion project. “We promote swimming as a lifelong wellness tool,” he says. “In the pool, people of all ages find a mental calm that improves productivity and energy levels long after they leave the water.”
