Wellness Center has good opening week

The Alleghany Wellness Center (AWCI) has had more than 1,000 visits since it officially opened on March 8, according to figures compiled by volunteers and staff there.

According to Director Joe Potts, the center has 1,045 recorded visits, but the actual number of visitors was likely even higher.

"In talking with volunteers and staff, we feel that it is very likely that not everyone has signed in that has used the facility or taken a tour," said Potts.

As for the number of people using the center, which is located at 508 Collins Rd. in Sparta, it has remained fairly steady over the period, with the exception of a slow first two days. Potts said that about 112 people used the center on March 8 and March 9, the only days the pool wasn't open to the public. The pool opened on March 10 for daylight hours only, awaiting the installation of overhead lighting. Potts said Tuesday that those lights should be installed by sometime this week and the pool hours will at that point reflect the same hours as the rest of the center.

The delay was due to a health inspection requirement, said Potts. The center's pool passed on the first try, but had to wait until health department officials could complete their inspections.

Last week's results may have been somewhat bolstered because the center did not require memberships or fees to use the facility.

However, attendance remained high as late as March 15, Monday, on which date 143 people used the center. Of that number, about 75 percent were working out or swimming, while the remainder were taking tours or looking around the facility.

"We've been giving a lot of tours and we want to make sure that everyone knows that people are still welcome to come in and look over the facility," Potts said.

As for the attendance, Potts commented, "We're really pleased with the number of people who have come out so far. I think it's really encouraging."

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