After a long stressful day, wouldn't it be nice to sit in a chair that massages the body from ankles to neck while soaking your feet in a warm whirlpool?
Soon that will be possible -- and at a reduced rate -- at the new day spa recently built at Steel Center Area Vocational Technical School in Jefferson Hills.
The construction, which cost about $200,000, started in the spring and was completed in recent weeks.
A small portion of the funding came from grants and the rest from the school's budget, but the goal is to repay all of the construction expense with revenues once the students start offering services to the public, said Dennis McCarthy, Steel Center's adult education coordinator.
The 2,115-square-foot spa was built in an area that formerly housed the technical academy and marketing programs.
It is designed to offer classes in skin and nail care to adults who may already be working in the cosmetology area who want to add to their certifications or those who want to switch careers and move into cosmetology, Dr. McCarthy said.
Word has gone out through Steel Center board members that the spa is finished and Dr. McCarthy said the school is getting phone calls from folks interested in booking appointments.
But first, the school needs students for the certification programs it will offer through the spa.
Dr. McCarthy said rates for the services have not yet been set but will be lower than those charged at professional spas.
The two certification programs to be offered at the day spa will be a 220-hour course to become a manicurist technician and a 320-hour course in aesthetic skin care.
In the manicurist course, students will be taught sanitation techniques, nail sculpting, wrapping, painting and design. Tuition will be $1,750. Tuition for the skin care program will be $2,560. Dr. McCarthy hopes to attract both male and female students.
After students have completed their required hours of training, they must pass state exams before getting a license to practice. Manicurists in Pennsylvania must be licensed, Dr. McCarthy said.
The spa includes classroom space where students are taught manicuring and skin care techniques.
The spa itself has six manicure stations and three pedicure stations that are each equipped with a massage chair that provides a rolling massage that starts at a client's feet and moves up through the neck. Clients will sit in the chairs while soaking their feet and having their pedicures done.
"It's a complete massage from head to toe," Dr. McCarthy said.
In addition, there are three private treatment rooms for skin care treatments and upper body --from the shoulders up --massages. There will be low lighting and scented candles in the rooms during the treatments and hot and cold stone treatments for the spine.
There is also a locker area for clients to change clothes and an area to apply makeup. Plans call for the spa to sell its own makeup and nail polish.
Dr. McCarthy said one day a week will be set aside for male clients.
Steel Center is currently advertising for students for the day spa certification programs. Six students are needed for a class to start and Dr. McCarthy is hoping to have classes started by early November. Within a week or so after starting classes, the spa can open to the public, he said.
Students who are interested in enrolling in the manicurist or skin care programs can call 412-469-3200, ext 113.
All services will be offered by appointment only.
"It will just be a really tranquil, peaceful place to go," Dr. McCarthy said.
First Published: October 16, 2008, 2:00 p.m.
