Wellness Center will open doors March 8

The Alleghany Wellness Center has scheduled its long-anticipated opening date for Monday, March 8 at 6 a.m., according to Director Joe Potts.

The center has faced a number of construction- and weather-related delays this year, which cumulatively pushed the opening back from the earlier date in January.

"We"re going to try to begin with a typical day," said Potts. "Tours will be available to anyone and members will be able to come in and work out."

"Those who have already purchased their memberships are welcome to come and use the facility," said Potts. The weight room, indoor track and indoor pools will all be ready by the opening day. Anyone that has not purchased a membership is welcome to come and receive a tour of the facility, said Potts. He also noted that the center will offer a per-day rate of $5 for use of all facilities and $3 for just the pool.

"Through a grant from the Duke Endowment, we have ordered and received delivery of all of the Nautilus exercise equipment, which includes free weights, strength conditioning equipment and cardiovascular equipment," Potts said. "Wellness Center staff were trained by Paddock Pools on the proper operation of the pool water filtration equipment. We will soon receive training from Nautilus on the proper techniques for using all of the strength training equipment, and Clark Construction will train Wellness Center staff on other building mechanical systems, including the equipment that keeps the pool bubble suspended."

The Wellness Center staff is also developing as the building nears its opening date.

The Board of Directors has filled the following positions for the center — beginning with hiring Potts as director in September of 2003. Other staffers include a full-time receptionist hired in November 2003; a full-time maintenance worker hired in February of 2004; two part-time aquatics program coordinators, also hired in February.

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