PARSONS – Many positive changes are on the horizon for the Wellness Center, and Parsons Parks and Recreation Commission President Kennetha Greenlief outlined those modifications during Tuesday’s Parsons City Council meeting. Greenlief said she and the members of the Commission were challenged by the Finance Committee to change the finances of the Wellness Center around.
“We have been losing about $70,000 a year, on average, and sometimes more than that,” Greenlief said. “So what we have proposed is to change the name to Wellness 24 with a new logo. It will be a 24/7 workout gym – self-sufficient with employees there three hours a day and maybe three hours an evening.”
Greenlief said the facility will be remodeled and will operate with a slide card monitoring system, with video surveillance.
“We will be closing the facility in the month of June to do renovations, remodeling and a refit,” said Councilman Tim Auvil. “For the entire month of June, the facility will be closed while we make these changes, both inside and out.”
Mayor Dorothy Judy said the decision was not an easy one to make.
“There have been a lot of people working a long time on this decision,” Judy said. “Each year (we are losing) $70,000 and when St. George Clinic owned the Wellness Center, it was losing money. So we have lost $70,000 per year and we are trying to keep the doors open. Now we are going to try to keep the doors open without such a loss.”
Judy said it was either close the doors, or try their new strategy.
“From the beginning, our objective has been to establish a sustainable financial and operating platform while preserving The Wellness Center’s mission and continuing to best serve our shared community,” Judy said. “While this process is undoubtedly difficult, we are so very grateful for the remarkable support we have received from our employees, members, benefactors and community leaders who share our belief that community wellness matters and is worth saving.”
Jason Myers, Parsons City Administrator/Treasurer said the current employees of The Wellness Center were notified of the decision before Tuesday’s meeting.
“The benefit of the program is it will be available to the public 24-hours a day at their convenience,” Auvil said. “If someone wants to come in at 2 a.m. to do their work-out and they have their slide card, they will be able to do it on their own. There will be very strict surveillance and people will be watched.”
Myers said the plan is for a smooth transition. “We know there will be hiccups and bumps in the road. But outside of turning the lights off and just walking away from it, this was our only option.”
Auvil said since the city took over The Wellness Center, there has been a deficit of more than $500,000. “The proposed changes are no reflection on anybody, or anyone – we just flat out do not have the population to support the facility,” Auvil said.
Greenlief said the industry standard is changing to a 24/7 facility. “We are seeing it more and more,” Greenlief said.
Proposed changes to The Wellness Center include:
-Changing the name to Wellness 24 with a new logo.
-Converting the facility to a 24/7 workout gym.
-Memberships will be handled by the Parsons Business Office.
-Installing an access control system and surveillance system.
-Remodel the facility.
-Staff one person 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Friday, with the possibility of a second staff person 4 to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday.
-Install vending machines.
The proposed plan is to have everything completed by July 1. Monthly memberships will be set at:
$30 for individual
$60 for family
$20 for senior citizens, 65 and older
$10 card deposit.
Officials said the Silver Sneaker program will remain the same as long as there is someone certified to administer the program.
